By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao reported on Saturday, May 21, a lifeless sperm whale found in the shores of Stitio Saklig, Brgy. Sugal, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.
The 60-feet in length and 9-feet in width sperm whale reportedly suffered from multiple wounds.
According to the report, it was most likely to be dead when it hovered the shores of Sitio Sakalig.
The carcass was immediately reported by the two fishermen who discovered the incident to the DENR XI through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Davao Occidental and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
Meanwhile, DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco directed PENRO Davao Occidental Officer Chamberlain Babiera to communicate with the agencies concerned in marine biology.
“There is also a need to cordon the area. And, the carcass should be disposed immediately because its smell can be toxic and hazardous to the community,” Evasco said.
The sperm whale was brought to the Davao Museum and the Municipal Disaster Risk Management Office for deboning according to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Head Harry Camoro. —bny