An injured grass owl and a stranded dolphin were rescued in Soccsksargen region on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

A fish pond owner found the grass owl stuck and injured from a fish net in Barangay Liwanay, Banga, South Cotabato.

The injured grass owl was handed over to the Conservation and Development Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Soccsksargen (DENR-12) and it was transported to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center (RWRC) at the Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) in Brgy. Blingkong, Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat for proper medication before it will be released back into the wild.

“Eastern Grass-owls breed and feed in areas of human activity, such as industrial, agricultural, or mining sites. They consume a lot of rodents, and according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, they are of least concern,” DENR-12 said.

On the other hand, the adult male spinner dolphin was rescued by several environmentalists after it was found stranded off Barangay Datu Dani in Kiamba, Sarangani.

“No traces of injury or illness were observed in the dolphin, which weighed around 35 kilograms and measured an estimated length of 180 centimeters. However, according to one of our 'bantay dagat' members, the dolphin was seen separated from its pod members around 6 a.m. on Wednesday,” CENRO-Kiamba Felix Robles said.

The concerned government offices and the local community were lauded for their immediate action in saving the said wildlife.

“Sarangani Bay is a haven of various marine mammals, including the dolphins. Spinner dolphins, which are often sighted in the bay, are famous for their spinning displays, showcasing their acrobatic skills in the water. Interestingly, they minimize sonar use at night, possibly to rest or continue foraging in the ocean,” DENR-12 added.