In a distressing incident in Bais City, Negros Oriental, two dolphins were discovered deceased in a mangrove area in Sitio Pambutan, Barangay Canlargo, following a mass stranding event on Sunday. The local police chief, Col. Roland Desiree Lavisto, reported that a third dolphin, also dead, has yet to be retrieved due to unfavorable tidal conditions. Efforts to recover the third dolphin are set to resume on Monday during low tide and better weather.
The stranding was first noticed on Saturday afternoon when over 30 dolphins were seen in the shallow waters of the area. Community members and authorities worked together to guide the dolphins back to deeper waters. However, three dolphins were found dead among the mangroves, with two successfully recovered. The first dolphin, a female weighing about 75 kilograms and 216 centimeters long, was found at 10:40 a.m. The second, also a female of the same length but 111 centimeters wide, was discovered at 2:15 p.m. Both showed signs of lacerations, likely from the stranding.
Necropsies were performed by city veterinarians Dr. Melanie Pescadilla and Cyron Maraña from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who also collected samples. The deceased dolphins were buried at the city landfill. Meanwhile, three other dolphins that were injured during the incident received treatment and were successfully released back into the sea. The Coast Guard is maintaining vigilance along the coastline to prevent any further strandings.