ALAMINOS CITY—An eight-footer rough-toothed dolphin was rescued last week by concerned citizens and personnel from the city government at barangay Baley-daan here.

Fishermen spotted the dolphin near an oyster culture farm while they were preparing to set out to sea.

The dolphin, later named “bayanihan” in recognition of the fishermen’s effort and concern for its protection, was first sighted swimming at the Lucap Bay area the day before.

After creating a stir, the mammal swam away but the next morning it was found stranded at the oyster culture farm, apparently unable to swim back to mid sea.

Catherine Rabadon, an aqua-culturist from the city agriculture office, was informed of the stranded mammal by the villagers.
Rabadon relayed the matter to the Public Order and Safety Office-Bantay Dagat and Dr. Ronald Abarra, city veterinarian, and they all rushed to extend first aid to the dolphin.

The city also sought the assistance of Ocean Adventure-Subic (OAS) and the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) as the dolphin appeared very weak and in bad shape.

OAS sent its Marine Mammal Stranding Response Team to Alaminos to conduct proper medical procedures on the dolphin.

The mammal was first taken to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Mariculture Techno-Demo Center in barangay Lucap for observation.

The OAS team was headed by Dr. Lemmuel V. Aragones, associate professor of the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Environment and Meteorology Science.

Aragones immediately left Guimaras province where he was currently working for a marine wildlife and fisheries research project, upon learning about the dolphin from Tim Desmond, Ocean Adventure’s CEO and owner.

Desmond, in a phone conversation with his consultant, expressed elation over the local folks’ smooth coordination and efforts in saving the dolphin.

“We are happy to see and hear that the city government and the people of Alaminos are embracing the principle of Animal Welfare,” Desmond was quoted by Aragones as saying.

Alaminos should be very proud and happy of its initiative and commitment in protecting the marine environment and its underwater life,” he added.