LAOAG CITY — Authorities on Tuesday rescued a female pilot whale found beached in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.
At about 6:00 a.m., coastal residents in Salugan village tried to get near the stranded marine mammal but due to strong winds, it was drifted to the sandy shores of Barangay Victoria, in front of the Sitio Remedios Resort in Currimao town.
The locals reported the incident to concerned authorities, Responders for endangered marine mammals in the province immediately proceeded to the area to rescue the stranded whale.
One of the responders, Provincial Fisheries and Regulatory Officer Arthur Valente, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that the endangered marine animal is now recovering. “She can now float while supportive care is being administered,” he said of the whale.
Valente added that the responders are still doing their best to stabilize the stranded marine animal before they can release it back to the open sea.
Representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, local government units, village officials, Philippine Maritime, fisherfolk community and the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network based in the province are jointly conducting monitoring of the stranded whale.
Based on initial assessment, Valente said the pilot whale appeared to be stressed and had bruises around the face.
Over the years, Ilocos Norte has been considered as one of the hot spots for stranded marine mammals, with a number of them successfully rehabilitated and released. (PNA)
