Stranded Melon-Headed Whale

On the afternoon of July 02, 2017 at around 4 o’clock some beach goers have spotted a stranded dolphin in the coast of Brgy. Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province and immediately informed the Punong Barangay of Tuyan Hon. Mohamad Amer Harid who instructed the Barangay Tanods to send the dolphin back to the deeper portion of the bay however, the dolphin keep coming back to shore.

On the next day, Hon. Harid informed the ECPC, BFAR 12, PENRO-LGU and the office of PASu who proceeded to the area to rescue the animal. The dolphin was identified to be a male Melon-Headed Whale (Peponocephala electra).

Rescue efforts were done by the partner agencies to save the dolphin. After several attempts of sending it back to the deeper part of the bay, the dolphin died at around 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon of July 03, 2017. The remains were brought to the Office of BFAR 12 in Fish Port Gen. Santos City for necropsy and to gather information on the dead creature.