Friends of PMMSN - Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network

One of the most dangerous things on this planet cannot be immediately seen nor felt. These are the (at least) 12 persistent organic pollutants with cute aliases like POPs and the “dirty dozen.” Their long-lasting and multigenerational effects are neither cute nor acute. They span from immunosuppression, feminisation of males, cancers, infertility, embryonic/fetal death, and even poor survival of neonates.

Just this year, we already have seen dead newborn or unborn among our strandings: a grim reminder of the fate of the species’ next gen. What we are most likely going to pass on to our own next gen is a broken planet if we don’t get our act together.

(A newborn Spinner Dolphin was found dead in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on 1 April 2024. [photo by: Mfre Villegas])

YOU’VE NOT LOST THAT LOVING FEELING

Of the several live strandings we have had so far for 2024, ten were released to the sea. Seven were admitted for treatment; of which, two were also released later while five died during the process.

Attachment to a rescued animal has a painful consequence: grief during loss. Naming animals (e.g., “Hart” in Subic Bay and “Uni” in Quezon Province) isn’t wrong but it predisposes one to heartbreak. This is one thing that is almost always unavoidable especially if people are on full altruistic mode. I have witnessed this time and time again over countless wildlife rescues. Emotional drain is just as exhausting as, if not more than, the physical.

Some of the necropsies have revealed infections, trauma, or combinations of both. Samples are still being processed as of this writing with the hope of shedding more light on not only why the animals died but also why they stranded in the first place.

This network is always ready for the next marine mammal in need. The loss of Uni strengthened the unity among various sectors and individuals involved in his care. We may have lost Hart, but we have not lost heart.

Alarming news...

Dolphin strandings alarm experts in Ilocos ALAMINOS CITY—In a span of just five days, 14 dolphins were spotted along the coastline of the Ilocos region, many of them getting stranded in the shallow waters, officials of the Bureau of

Call for volunteers!

S***m whale stranded, dies in Masbate A large s***m whale was stranded along the shores of Barangay Panisihan and Barangay Dapdap in Uson, Masbate.

Volunteers needed. Send us a message if you are interested.

JUVENILE SPOTTED DOLPHIN, NASAGIP SA QUEZON 🐬

Isang nanghihina at sugatang juvenile spotted dolphin ang nasagip ng mga mangingisda sa karagatang sakop ng Ilayang Calilayan sa Unisan, Quezon noong Pebrero 14.

Sinubukan daw itong itaboy at dalhin sa malalim na parte ng dagat subalit bumabalik pa rin sa shoreline.

Ayon kay Prof. Lem Aragones ng Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, biktima ng dynamite fishing sa lugar ang dolphin. Posibleng napasabugan daw ito na naging dahilan ng malubhang pagkakasakit. (PHOTO: Peewee Bacuño)

Basahin: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/promdi/898750/spotted-dolphin-na-sugatan-at-nanghihina-nasagip-sa-unisan-quezon/story/

TO FINITY AND BEYOND

“Heart,” the male Rough-toothed dolphin that was rescued on Valentine’s Day, stranded itself again on the day after its release. He was in good body condition, had bouyancy control, and was apparently able to swim in a directional fashion. But his return to the beach, although disappointing, said it all: He was not ready.

What appears to be an infinity pool in this photo is actually a floating, anchored sea pen. This may be the best habitat for dolphins under long-term rehab, which is exactly what he is undergoing now.

But resources, material or otherwise, for getting a wild animal fit for release in the distant future are finite especially for an aquatic megavertebrate. There are still lots of uncertainties. For now, we look after the welfare of this individual; and, just as important, learn more about the species as we do so.

Photo by: Ocean Adventure

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

We were ready not to see “Heart,” the Rough-toothed dolphin released yesterday, anymore in the hope he can already make it on his own. Maybe physical assessment was not sufficient, maybe we missed something, maybe…

But for whatever reason he returned to shore after only a day, it was still very fortunate that he ended up somewhere accessible to the stranding team. And in time.

We will do this all over again if we must. Stranding response in the Philippines is not “what we can do,” but “what we can do with what we have.” A stranded dolphin sends us humans a message whether it survives this ordeal or not. Maybe by keeping him longer, even under long-term human care, we will be able to decipher that message and then share it to the rest of the world.

Photo by: BFAR 1

ANOTHER ONE DID NOT BITE THE DUST

The second release for this round is “Heart,” an adult male Rough-toothed Dolphin that stranded on Valentine’s Day.

Decision-making during marine mammal rescues involves a lot of considerations, but the most basic is if the animal is capable enough to survive the challenges of the ocean on its own. While assessment has to be done meticulously, it also has to be done quickly. Each case is different, so we draw not just from our own experience but from the collective experiences of others even from other parts of the world.

Thanks to all who cared for him 24/7 both on- and off-site.

IT IS NOT JUST A STORY OF A DOLPHIN

People gathered to help a creature from the ocean. For centuries, we have always been curious and fascinated about this air-breathing but fully aquatic animal. They are part of human literature: from legends and myths to scientific journals.

We are now probably worried that we may be witnessing the consequences of our actions toward our natural resources; and rightfully so because we have treated the sea as an endless sink for our wastes on land.

The Short-finned Pilot Whale, “Valerie” as she was named by her responders, died today after a week of 24/7 critical care at Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. She is only one of the several recent cases on the western coasts of Luzon Island. The job of keeping her alive may sadly be over, but the job of finding out why is just about to begin. An examination of her remains may shed light on the state of health of the sea itself.

Earth is more blue than green because of the vastness of the ocean.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1897936/blast-fishing-eyed-in-stranding-of-whales-dolphin-in-ilocos

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS....

ANAMNESIA

The response is faster after the first time.

Whoever gets to scene first triggers the entire machinery to begin the process of the stranding response. Such is othe case of the Roughed-toothed Dolphin in Bgy. Bugoy, Agno, Pangasinan on Valentine’s Day 2024 (only few hours after the release of a Spinner Dolphin in Sibulan, Negros Oriental) when the LGU was the initiator.

This is why the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network was created: train as many responders all over the country as possible especially in key institutions both government and non-government, and build a system of communication to tap resources that are not locally available, even when the first to witness the event is a private citizen.

Anamnesia is the opposite of amnesia: we remember. Growing experience means more efficiency. We learn as we go so we become better each time.

NEVER SAY GOODBYE

Treated, boosted, and ready to go. The Spinner Dolphin has been released to the deep blue early this morning and she did not look back. For wildlife releases, long goodbyes are not recommended. In fact, no goodbyes from our animals is even better.

An ocean of thanks to those who helped save another dolphin in need: staff from DENR-TSPS, BFAR, UPLB CVM, UP IESM, Ocean Adventure, LGU Sibulan MAO, PNP Sibulan, PNP Maritime Police, Sibulan Bantay Dagat, Brgy. Looc SB, Sibulan LDRRMO, and the coastal residents and volunteers of Sibulan; plus Dr. Quint Angel Monte de Ramos Manuel for his veterinary expertise.

Unusual strandings and mortality events in Luzon: 31 January-10 Feb 2024

An unusual series of stranding and mortality events occurred in Luzon from January 31 to 10 February 2024. The coverage of the stranding events is exceptional as it covers a large geographic area (see map). These events happened in eight various sites covering five provinces along the west coasts of Luzon and involving seven (7) individuals of pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and one (1) spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). We at the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) believe that all these animals were victims of acoustic trauma – from dynamite blasts. The fact that all these animals had relatively good body condition, listing (no balance), and difficulty in buoyancy are consistent signs indicative of acute acoustic trauma. The two mortalities were recorded in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, and Sual, Pangasinan. Also, the sole stranded young adult female pilot whale being rehabilitated in Narvacan showed poor acoustics capacity upon hydrophone test (for acoustics capacity). Pilot whales, which are known to form groups of 10-30 related animals and are highly social. The stranded pilot whales consisted of varying age classes (5 adults, 2 calves) and mixed sexes (5 females, 2 males, one of which is a calf) which are common features of pods (and females predominantly).
These series of stranding and mortality events (especially for the pilot whales) would have been easily interpreted as unrelated strandings. But because PMMSN has been systematically recording strandings since 2005, these events are now taken more seriously. The Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Laboratory at UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), in collaboration with the PHL Genome Center (PGC) is looking at the genetics of the samples collected from the two dead animals, plus the live under rehab. We would like to examine if they are related to one another. If they are related, it implies that they were from the same pod, and most likely dispersed because of the acoustic trauma allegedly from dynamite blasts. The Team of MMRCL recorded several underwater dynamite blasts in the Lingayen Gulf last November 2023 during their cetacean field surveys.
Great commendable efforts from BFAR1, BFAR3, Ocean Adventure, LGUs, and UP IESM in ensuring that these stranding were all addressed accordingly.

SNOWBALL IN THE TROPICS

What started as a germ of an idea more than two decades ago has become a national movement for the conservation of marine wildlife and animal welfare.

Three concurrent marine mammal stranding events are happening. The difference between the early 2000s and the recent years is that simultaneous responses of BFAR and LGUs at multiple locations are possible because, along with the private sector and NGOs, there is a network that moves like a well-oiled machine.

The job is not done, however, and it shall continue. Efforts like these need support from the public especially from abled bodies who can volunteer their time and energy for the Narvacan site. Contact Dr. Hasmin M. Chogsayan at +63 946 184 4997 or +63 977 816 1993 for more details.

Images by: Hasmin Chogsayan, Maria Fe Villegas, and Allan Castillo

SAVE A DOLPHIN.... In case you see a stranded dolphin, these posters will serve as a quick guide on what to do when you see one.

Dynamite fishing affects all animals in the sea, including marine mammals. This illegal practice should stop.

To our marine mammal stranding teams in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union, thank you very much for your efforts so save these animals.

Blast fishing eyed in stranding of whales, dolphin in Ilocos SAN FERNANDO CITY—Three short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and a spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) were stranded in different coastal towns of the Ilocos region on

REHABBED and RELEASED…. Days before the year ends, a juvenile spotted dolphin stranded in Magalawa Island, Palauig, Zambales last 26 December 2023. After several attempts to release the dolphin failed, it was brought to the BFAR 3 station in Masinloc where it received treatment and round-the-clock supportive care by the dedicated personnel of BFAR 3. The dolphin was released yesterday.

We would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of this dolphin – BFAR Region 3 (Dr. Princess Ann Tayag, Keith Carloy, JC Melano, Rewil Murciano, and Bernabe Almandrez), DENR-PAMO (Nestor Eder, Jr., Frederick Gonzales, Ryan Luzuriaga, Jurry Valdez, and Kevin Esmende), MOBPLS, PNP Maritime Group (Pat Jansen Castro, PAT Pagie Prado, Pcpl Ismael Castro, and Pcpl Bryner Arias), PVO (Dr. Mary Abegail Reyes-Diago), and volunteers on-site (Ronnie Ebilane and Ernel Sarmiento).

Images by: BFAR 3 and PNP Maritime Unit 3

A dwarf s***m whale stranded in Dipaculao, Aurora early this morning. Provincial Fisheries Office personnel responded to the stranding and transferred the animal to a nearby tank for supportive care. Unfortunately, the animal died two hours later. The carcass was immediately buried.

Thank you BFAR 3, LGU, Coast guard, and PNP.

Images by Rex Sabbaluca

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