Rescued dolphin dies of malnutrition in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - A male “rough-toothed” dolphin died of malnutrition Thursday just two weeks after being rescued in waters off Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Francis Maniago from the Marine Mammals center of Ocean Adventure said "Bayanihan", the five-year-old dolphin (steno bredanensis), was severely emaciated and had external injuries after being rescued in Alaminos. He said that aside from the injuries, Bayanihan was also suffering from scoliosis and parasites.

“We’ve done our best to keep Bayanihan to recover from his illnesses, but unfortunately, his health deteriorated during the last three days,” said Maniago.

“By his length and approximate age, his weight should have been around 100 kg, but when we got him from Pangasinan, his weight was only 56 kg,” he said, adding that at the time of death, the dolphin weighed 60 kg.

Maniago said the dolphin was found beached along the shores of Alaminos. The dolphin was returned to the water while being escorted by three motorized bancas but was found on a beach on Baraga Baley-Adan the next day.

He said animal care experts brought the dolphin to Ocean Adventure.

The animal is currently undergoing necropsy to determine the cause of death. By JEFF TOMBADO - ABS CBN