Manila: Residents rescued a 20-foot long whale from the bay of Puerto Princesa, southwestern Philippines, an environmentalist said.
The beached whale was wounded by coral reefs of Honda Bay, in the vicinity of Sta Cruz village where it was seen on Saturday morning, Ma. Vivian Soriano, senior ecosystems management specialist of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) said in a report that reached the department of environment and natural resources in Metro Manila’s suburban Quezon City.
“Members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group helped residents and fishermen to guide the wounded whale out of the shallow part of Honda Bay, until it reached the Bay’s deeper area, and until it could swim out to the open sea,” said Soriano.
“The superficial wounds of the whale would heal fast,” assessed Soriano.
“A tourist guide told me about the endangered whale. This prompted me to call for assistance from authorities,” said Soriano, adding the whale was initially spotted off Luli Island in Sta Lourdes village.
“We were relieved that no tourist aboard the boat whose boatman reported about the incident to authorities — tried to harm the wounded whale,” said Soriano, adding that reporting is done religiously to authorities to protect whales nationwide.
Tourists and divers seek marine mammals like dolphins and whales in Philippine seas.
