SANCHEZ MIRA, Cagayan – An adult male Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) was found dead along the coast of Brgy. Magatan in this town around 6:30 in the morning of October 12, 2022 by a fisherfolk amidst  the heavy rains brought by tropical depression “Maymay”.

Said stranding incident was immediately reported by Mr. Ridel Cabulisan, LGU personnel to the nearest DA-BFAR 2 farm facility for appropriate action. Ms. Madelyn Rubio, Farm Manager of Claveria Brackishwater Technology Outreach Station located in Pata East, Claveria with Ms. Maria Odessa Silvestre, Fisheries Livelihood Development Technician assigned in the area headed to the stranding site to assess the condition of the marine mammal.

Based on the necropsy conducted by the Marine Mammal Stranding and Rescue Operation Task Force headed by Dr. Jefferson Soriano of the 2.10 – meter pygmy whale, major findings show the presence of foamy fluid in the animal’s throat up to the lungs, empty stomach which contains heavy loads of parasites though its internal organs were intact and showed no internal bleeding.

Likewise, samples were collected and will be submitted for further examination to the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) Laboratory.   

Further, Soriano said that “whales and dolphins are mammals and can breathe air into their lungs, just like we do. They cannot breathe underwater like fish can as they do not have gills. They breathe through nostrils, called a blowhole, located right on top of their heads. The harsh weather may have added to the weakened state of the animal and eventually succumbed to death”. (With reports from JA Tattao, RFLD)