Four dwarf sperm whales were successfully rescued and returned to the open sea after getting stranded near the port area in Barangay Luca, Tanjay City, over the weekend.
The successful operation was made possible through the strengthened capability and quick response of local responders in Negros Oriental, supported by specialized training and logistics from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Multiple strandings were reported on Saturday, with two of the marine mammals appearing weak and bearing minor scratches.
A joint team comprising the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape-Southeast Negros site management unit, Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Philippine Coast Guard, Tanjay City local government unit, and the city’s Bantay Dagat immediately responded to assess the whales’ condition.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) chief Jimmy Panebio said Monday that the response team conducted the necessary health assessments, monitoring, and release operations, successfully guiding all four whales back to their natural habitat after two release attempts.
Panebio noted that recent training equipped local responders with the exact protocols needed for handling stranded marine mammals, assessing injuries, and coordinating multi-agency operations.
“Members of our Marine Protected Area Network (MPAN) are very active, and we continue to support them through training and providing them with their needs,” Panebio said.
The PENRO chief underscored the critical role of collaboration among government agencies, local communities, and conservation stakeholders in strengthening marine wildlife protection efforts across the province.*PNA
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