Sperm whale dies after stranding in Sultan Kudarat waters

A sperm whale has died after getting stranded in the waters of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat over the weekend. 

According to Kuya Kim Atienza's report on "24 Oras" Tuesday, many were alarmed by some residents' treatment of the stranded whale. 

In a video posted by netizen Hazi Masukat, people can be seen flocking towards the beached whale, with some even riding its back. 

Per Kuya Kim, the local government unit of Kalamansig conducted a rescue attempt to bring the whale back to a deeper part of the sea. However, the whale eventually passed away. 

Balyena.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to the research and conservation of cetaceans in the Philippines, was among those that expressed concern following the video of the stranded sperm whale. 

In Kuya Kim's report, Balyena.org board member and marine biologist, AA Yaptinchay, explained that whale stranding, while surprising, is not really unusual. 

"Nakakabigla pero hindi 'to as unusual kasi nangyayari 'to, hindi naman regularly pero it's not very rare," he said. 

According to Yaptinchay, a stranded or beached whale does not always mean that it is sick. 

"Maraming teorya kung bakit sila nag-s-strand. Isa na nga dito 'yung posibleng meron silang sakit, pero meron din kasing ibang teorya na pwede ring naligaw sila. Posible rin na may hinahabol sila or may humahabol sa kanila na predator," he explained. 

He also said that rescue operations should be done with utmost care for a stranded whale to survive. 

"Kailangan taandan natin, 'pag na-strand, hindi niya kaya makaalis dun sa situation na 'yun kaya pag-responde sa kaniya dapat it should be done with the utmost care. May mga standard procedures tayong sinusunod. Kami nga mga beteranyo kasi kami so may medical assessment pa, so kailangan ibalik sila sa laot para may tsansa pa silang mabuhay," he said. 

When asked if there was a violation of the law in riding the sperm whale's back, Yaptinchay explained that current laws do not cover actual harassment of an animal. 

"Parang lalabas kasi kung mali 'yung response mo, parang harassment dun sa stressed and deceased animal 'yung nangyari. Wala tayong specific na batas, sa Wildlife Act hindi covered 'yung actual harassment," he said. 

Meanwhile, Yaptinchay advised the public on what to do should they witness a whale stranding, stressing the importance of contacting the proper authorities. 

"Pinakamabuting gawin 'pag may incident na sila ang nakakita, i-report ito either through the barangay or directly dito sa mga mandated bureau kasi may mga trained personnel dun," he said

"And online, meron ding available na manual. Ma-do-download 'to na libre sa website ng Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. Pwede rin nila idownload 'yung manual, may step-by-step procedures kung paano ginagawa 'to," he added. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News