Dolphins, killer whales seen in Bohol waters

Several dolphins and killer whales or Orcas were seen in the waters off Garcia Hernandez in Bohol province amid the resumption of local tourist activities after the implementation of modified general community quarantine protocols.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on 24 Oras on Monday, tourist John Brian Galendez was able to capture on video the presence of the dolphins and orcas that are rarely seen in Bohol.

“Sobrang saya po. ‘Di ko po ine-expect na ganoon po makikita namin kasi ano po, ‘yong mga cousins ko po, naliligo lang kami sa baybayin. Tapos hindi namin alam na makapunta kami doon sa aming paroroonan,” Galendez said.

Residents said they first saw the marine mammals on June 29 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It has been decades since the Orcas were last seen in the area.

An official from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said there are three reasons that the dolphins and orcas were seen in Bohol.

Environment undersecretary Benny Antiporda said one of the reasons the marine mammals appeared in Bohol was that they were just lost or this may be due to climate change.

“Change noong lamig or init noong tubig ‘no sinusundan din ng mga isda ‘yan na kung saan sila magiging comfortable, doon sila pumupunta,” Antiporda said.

He added the mammals might be looking for food in the area.

“Positive na nakikita natin dito because of ECQ, dumami ‘yong isda natin dito. Pinagbawal din ‘yong mga mamalakaya, yung mga mangingisda natin kung kaya’t nagkaroon ng chance mag-produce ang mga isda at dumami sila. So noong dumami sila, dumami ang pagkain dito sa Pilipinas and yet alam natin since island country itong ating bansa, maraming breeding ground dito ‘yong ating mga isda na nakikita naman natin na dito patungo ngayon ‘yong malalaking isda dahil naghahanap pagkain,” Antiporda said.

Galendez, meanwhile, said the phenomenon could also be a reminder to protect the marine environment. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News