By Xander Ledesma
Two dolphins were found dead and three others injured following a mass stranding in Sitio Pambutan, Barangay Canlargo, Bais City, Negros Oriental, over the weekend.
Bais City police chief Col. Roland Desiree Lavisto said the dead dolphins were discovered trapped in a mangrove area, while three others were rescued and treated before being returned to the sea. A third carcass remained unrecovered due to rising tides, with retrieval operations set to resume once weather conditions improve.
“We will continue efforts on Monday during low tide if the weather permits,” Lavisto said.
The incident, reported on Saturday afternoon, involved over 30 dolphins spotted in shallow waters. Local residents, police, and Coast Guard personnel worked together to guide the marine mammals back to deeper waters.
The first deceased dolphin, a 75-kilogram female measuring 216 centimeters, was found at 10:40 a.m. on Sunday. The second, discovered at 2:15 p.m., measured the same length and 111 centimeters in width. Both had visible lacerations believed to have been caused by stranding.
City veterinarians Dr. Melanie Pescadilla and Cyron Maraña, along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, conducted necropsies and collected tissue samples for analysis. The remains of the dolphins were buried at the city landfill.
The three rescued dolphins received treatment for their injuries before being released back into the sea. The Philippine Coast Guard is maintaining a close watch on the coastline to prevent further strandings.
Mass strandings are a rare phenomenon often linked to disorientation caused by environmental factors, illness, or other disturbances, according to marine experts. This event highlights the need for continued vigilance and conservation efforts to protect marine wildlife in the region.