Sperm whale dies after getting stranded in Masbate waters

A sperm whale has died after getting stranded in the waters of Uson, Masbate.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Tuesday, the whale measured around 55 feet long and 11 meters wide.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the local government unit of Uson carried out rescue efforts, but the animal’s size made it difficult.

“Very challenging lang po kasi kasing laki siya ng bus kaya napakahirap sa mga responder ‘yung pag-attempt ng rescue. Sabayan pa ng low tide doon sa area. Then medyo maalong karagatan doon sa area ng Uson,” said Niel Justin Romano of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Masbate.

Rescuers were able to move the sperm whale to deeper waters, but the animal got stranded again and eventually died.

“Possible po na may sakit yung sperm whale. Nagkaroon na ng successful release and bumalik naman po siya,” Romano said. “Nagkaroon lang kami ng collection of sample para ma-identify talaga ‘yung cause of death ng animal.”

To dispose the carcass, it was simply pulled to deeper waters.

“Napagdesisyunan na hilahin na lang doon sa malalim na part and doon na lang siya maging part ulit ng kanyang origin,” Romano said.

The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the biggest toothed whale in the ocean and the largest toothed predator in the world. Its brain is the largest in the animal kingdom, as it can grow up to seven to nine kilograms.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News