STRANDED DUGONG AT DIFFERENT AREA

GLAN, SARANGANI - On Oct. 17, 2017 at around 5:00 o’clock in the morning Ms. Rowena Escobar spotted the dead Dugong (Dugong dugon) near their house. She then alerted the Punong Barangay Joselito Escobar who then send his constituents to the area and contacted BFAR 12 who then alerted the Office of the Protected Area Superintendent. PASu Technical Staffs Gary John Cabinta and Aries Siaotong and BFAR 12 Staff Jesrel Pantaleon then went to the area to investigate.    

Upon reaching the area, the dead Dugong (Dugong dugon) was already half buried, ordered by the Punong Barangay Joselito Escobar because the carcass was already in its early decomposition stage and the foul odor may cause health issues to the residents living near the area. The burial site was marked to recover the bones for future use and study.

The dead animal has no external abrasions and estimated to be dead 2-3 days before it was stranded in the area. Necropsy was not done because there was no personal present during that time to determine the cause of death.

MALAPATAN, SARANGANI (October 19, 2017) - At around 7:00 o’clock in the morning Mr. Ray Jabasana spotted the dead juvenile Dugong (Dugong dugon) floating in the mangrove area in Purok 1, Brgy. Sapu Padidu, Malapatan. He then alerted BFAR Staff Jo-ann Paglinawan, who then contacted SWPR Team of SBPS. PASu Technical Staff Gary John Cabinta, BFAR 12 Staff Jesrel Pantaleon and Marie Ann Finalla, PENRO Staffs Michelle Polistico and Mackoi Padayhag, and ECPC Staffs Merry Khrisse Kamad and Michael John Hijara responded to the area to the area to investigate.

Upon reaching the area, the dead Dugong (Dugong dugon) was still fresh about a few hours dead. Mr. Jabasana said that there were strong waves that night, maybe the animal was disoriented and drowned. It was also suspected the it was the calf of the stranded female Dugong in Brgy. Nacolil, Glan which is a few kilometers away. The team then get important data and observations on the animal show in the table below.

The dead animal was then brought to Gen. Santos City Fish Port for storage and necropsy and possible taxidermy is scheduled next week.