Pod of melon-headed whales spotted off San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Around 50 melon-headed whales were spotted in the waters off San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on July 19, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) MIMAROPA said.

The whales were encountered by a group of freedivers on their way to a dive site near Ambulong Island.

"Initially mistaken for dolphins because of their similar appearance and schooling behavior, the animals were later identified by the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) as melon-headed whales," the agency said.

"The pod was observed calmly resting at the water’s surface, with several individuals occasionally breaching before continuing their movement toward deeper offshore waters," it added.

The DENR MIMAROPA said melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters and are highly social marine mammals that usually travel in groups.

According to the agency, the presence of a pod of melon-headed whales is an indicator of a healthy marine habitat.

Following the rare sighting, the DENR reminded the public—particularly boat operators, fishers, and divers—to maintain a safe distance from marine mammals, minimize noise, avoid sudden changes in speed or direction, and refrain from feeding or disturbing the animals.

The melon-headed whale is classified as an endangered species in the Philippines under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 208-1, Series of 2024, which lists rare, threatened, and endangered aquatic species and provides full protection to all whales, dolphins, and porpoises. –VBL, GMA News