Wounded Fraser's dolphin saved from sharks

Environment authorities recently rescued a badly wounded dolphin off the coast of Masinloc town in Zambales, central Luzon apparently after being attacked by sharks.

Regidor de Leon, executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon, reported that the six-foot-long Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) was finally returned to the sea in Balaganon village.

"Saving our dolphins is only part of an even bigger fight – the fight to save the environment and ourselves, and the rescue is a triumph of human kindness and compassion for other life forms on the planet," he said.

Based on their initial examination, De Leon said the dolphin appeared to have been wounded after being attacked by sharks that abound in Masinloc waters.

He said the dolphin was brought to the Ocean Adventure Marine Park at the Subic Freeport Zone to receive the necessary treatment from the park's marine-mammal veterinarians.

Fraser's dolphins, that live offshore of tropical seas, are distinguished by their striped body, small flippers and dorsal fin and a very short beak that make them appear robust and short. De Leon praised Masinloc residents for their pro-environment effort to rescue the marine animal, observing that this indicates their concern for the protection and conservation of the country's marine resources.

At the same time, De Leon appealed for greater vigilance among coastal communities to watch out for illegal fishing or harvesting of marine resources, especially those species considered rare, endangered or nearing extinction.