Responders rescued a pygmy sperm whale found stranded and struggling to stay afloat in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, stabilized it, and returned it to the open sea on Aug. 18.
The whale was found alive at around 10 a.m. at Sitio Namnama in Barangay Burayoc, according to a Tuesday report by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Ilocos.
Responders assessed the whale and carefully moved it to a suitable area for monitoring. They observed its breathing, buoyancy, behavior, and overall condition, and made efforts to stabilize it.
At 3 p.m., the whale showed signs of recovery, and it was able to swim back into open waters.
Responders and partner agencies then conducted 24-hour monitoring of the area. No subsequent stranding of the whale was reported in Ilocos Norte or nearby provinces during the monitoring period.
In caring for the whale, local fisherfolk and the Pagudpud local government collaborated with BFAR’s Provincial Fisheries Office-Ilocos Norte, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, and the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network