Dead sea cow washed ashore in Iloilo

A dead sea cow was washed ashore at Barotac Nuevo town in Iloilo province on Tuesday.

 

Fishermen in Sitio Lamintao in Barangay Talisay helped haul the carcass, GMA Iloilo's Carol Velagio reported.

 

"Tinawag ako ng asawa ng anak ko, sabi niya pagdating na pagdating ko, 'Tay may patay na dugong dito. Tinanong niya ako kung ano yung gagawin dito, sagot ko, talian natin at isagilid," said resident Felix Tolentino.

 

 

The sea cow was 285 centimeters long and 64 centimeters wide, and weighed about 350 to 400 kilos.

 

It had several wounds, which residents suspect could be due to debris from dynamite.

 

"May mga lamog. Sa estimate ko dahil sa putok," Tolentino said.

 

The local Department of Environment and Natural Resources allowed residents to cut the carcass for food.

 

"Makakain rin at protein source rin naman siya. Kaya lang, ipinagbabawal siya na hiwain, yung talagang planong paghuli at paghiwa bawal, ngayon wala tayong may magagawa, patay eh, na-recover nila na patay na," said Arvi Fernando of the DENR-CENRO Barotac Nuevo.

 

Last year, a sea cow believed killed by the effects of dynamite fishing was also found dead off Sitio Lamintao.

 

On the other hand, the Bantay Dagat in the town could not conduct patrols since its boat's motor was broken.

 

Mayor Hernan Brion Sr. offered to lend his personal assets to the Bantay Dagat until its equipment could be repaired. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News