MikeLigalig.com

by PNA

A big whale died a few minutes after being stranded at the beach in Barangay Nalvo, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur last Monday night.

Benny Saraos of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said the mammal belonging to the species "pygmy killer whale" was the biggest whale stranded along the shore of the province since year 2000.

The whale was measured 16.6 feet long and its body measured 266 inches in diameter and with an estimated weight of at least one ton.

At least 20 persons carried the whale from the beach to its burial site on Tuesday afternoon.

“We were supposed to bury the dead whale at the BFAR provincial office but due to its weight, we were forced to bury it here. However, we will soon exhume its skeleton after its total decomposition as we need to store it in our office for future reference,” he said.

Saraos suspected that the cause of whale’s death had something to do with internal hemorrhage due to illegal fishing activities in mid-sea.

“The bruises and slight wounds in various parts of the body of the whale are not enough to cause its death but rather due to internal hemorrhage," he said.

He warned the fisherman along the coastal areas of the province not to catch this kind of whale which is already endangered.

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