A Palawan Council for Sustainable Development-rescued Risso’s dolphin has died days after it was found stranded along the shoreline of Barangay Apurawan in Aborlan town.
PCSD spokesperson Jovic Fabello said the dolphin, identified as a Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), was rescued last week and was under care for three days. Efforts to return the animal to the sea were unsuccessful as it repeatedly swam back to shore.
With the help of a non-government organization, barangay officials, and community members, the dolphin was first placed in a temporary pond before being transferred to a larger pool in Aborlan. Fabello said rescuers later observed that the dolphin was unable to swim properly and had no sense of balance.
The dolphin eventually died due to pulmonary infection, severe stress, and dehydration.
“Sa pag-obserba, walang balance ang dolphin at hindi nya kaya lumutang at mag-align horintally para lumagoy. Pinapahinga ulit ang dolphin pero kinagabihan, tuluyan nang namatay ang hayop. Ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ay pulmonary infection, sobrang stress at dehydration at meron din siyang 3 bakat ng kagat ng Cookie Shark sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng katawan,” Fabello told Palawan News.
Fabello also said the dolphin had three bite marks believed to be from a cookiecutter shark and another dolphin, found on different parts of its body.
PCSD said this is the first recorded rescue of a Risso’s dolphin in Palawan this year.
Fabello added that Risso’s dolphins are known to migrate in search of food, and Palawan is among the areas frequently passed by the species.
