Spinner dolphin found dead in Ilocos Norte

A spinner dolphin was found dead in Pasuquin town in Ilocos Norte this week, with initial findings showing it may have died from dehydration.

The dolphin was 1.73 meters long and weighed 37 kilos, according to a report on GMA Ilocos.

Fishermen who found the dolphin said it was already dead.

"Yung dehydration niya at yung pagiging payat na niya could (be) a result dahil hindi na siya makakain, hindi na niya kayang kumain on its own, hindi na niya kayang maghanap ng kanyang makakain niya," said provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela.

Wounds were also seen on the dolphin's pectoral fins. Examination also found lumps on its body.

The dolphin was immediately buried.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the conservation status of the spinner dolphin as data deficient, meaning there is too little information to determine its threat category. IUCN stresses, though, that this does not mean the spinner dolphin is a non-threatened species. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News