Wounded spotted dolphin rescued in Unisan, Quezon

A juvenile spotted dolphin was recently found wounded and rescued by fishermen in Unisan, Quezon.

The fishermen found the dolphin on Feb. 14 in the waters of Ilayang Calilayan.

They tried to drive the dolphin toward the deeper part of the sea, but it swam back near the shoreline.

Upon closer look, the dolphin had wounds and was showing signs of weakness.

Personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Unisan and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) joined hands in bringing the dolphin in for treatment.

With the help of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN), the dolphin is being cared for at the hatchery of the local government unit. They aim to help the dolphin recover so it could be brought back to sea.

According to Prof. Lem Aragones of PMMSN, the dolphin may have been a victim of dynamite fishing.

The dolphin has already showed signs of improvement after it was brought to the facility.

Experts say there is a good chance the dolphin will survive and recover.

The dolphin is being monitored 24/7 and care is taken to ensure it does not get stressed whenever it is examined or weighed.

According to the Unisan LGU, some fishermen from outside their area practice dynamite fishing in their waters. Efforts are ongoing to help stop this practice.

The BFAR and PMMSN could not say yet when the dolphin could be released back into the sea. —Peewee Bacuño/KG, GMA Integrated News