Rescued dolphin undergoes rehabilitation in Subic Bay

A male rough-toothed dolphin named 'Hart' has been rescued and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Ocean Adventure theme park in Subic Bay Freeport, following multiple stranding incidents in Pangasinan. 

Despite several attempts to release him back into the wild, Hart was found to have health issues and is now receiving specialized care, including antibiotics, liver support, and physical therapy to address mild scoliosis.

Hart was initially discovered in Barangay Aloleng, Agno, Pangasinan, on February 13. After multiple re-stranding incidents, it became clear that Hart required specialized care beyond what could be provided in his initial recovery setting. 

Recognizing the severity of his condition, rescuers made the decision to transfer him to Ocean Adventure's dolphin rehabilitation facility on February 20, a move aimed at providing Hart with the best possible chance for recovery. Operated by Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc., Ocean Adventure is equipped to offer comprehensive care for marine mammals in distress.

Hart is receiving an array of treatments designed to address both his immediate health issues and the underlying conditions that contributed to his stranding. This includes antibiotics to fight infections, liver support to aid in his overall health, and electrolytes and supplements to ensure he receives the necessary nutrients.

Additionally, Hart is undergoing physical therapy to correct mild scoliosis in his peduncle, a condition suspected to have developed due to the limited swimming space available during his initial rehabilitation period. 

Subic Bay Ocean Adventure is renowned for its dedication to the rehabilitation of marine mammals, making it the ideal location for Hart's long-term recovery. (bnnbreaking.com)

Source: https://bnnbreaking.com/world/philippines/rescued-rough-toothed-dolphin-hart-undergoes-rehabilitation-in-subic-bay

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DENR wants Subic, Clark freeports monitored vs wildlife trade

THE Clark and Subic Freeport zones have become convenient gateways of wildlife violators that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) called for the strict monitoring of two freeports against wildlife trade.

DENR enforcement division chief Fred Sadueste said the cooperation and active participation of different enforcement agencies of the government is a big boost to sustain the efforts in wildlife law enforcement.

"Central Luzon is a hub to Subic and Clark Freeport Zones, these have been the convenient gateway of wildlife violators for doing their illegal wildlife activities," he said in a training-seminar held recently.

He said these gateways must be strictly monitored to prevent any wildlife trade activities.

"We need every law enforcement agency not just involved, but trained extensively on how to correctly and efficiently handle wildlife cases," he added.

The call came after the DENR, in a bid to put an end to illegal wildlife trade in Central Luzon, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), recently conducted a one-day training and orientation to some 60 officials and personnel of Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP Maritime Group, the Subic Bay Ecology Center and Law Enforcement Office and the local government of Subic, which was held in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

According to Michael Lopez, DENR wildlife officer in Central Luzon, the training aimed to strengthen the knowledge of the participants on various local and international policies governing wildlife trade.

"Our target here is to enhance and upgrade also the skills and competencies of various law enforcement agencies of the government in monitoring illegal wildlife trade on various ports like the Subic Bay area and the Clark International Airport to arrest wildlife criminals," he said.

Some of the topics and policies that were discussed during the training were the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites) and the Republic Act 9147 or the Philippine Wildlife Act, the illegal ivory and wildlife trade and national and international responses, and the wildlife enforcement protocols in airports and seaports.

DENR records show that seven vulnerable wildlife, including four pangolins and three cobras both under the "red list" of animals threatened with extinction by the international union for the conservation of nature were turned over to the DENR after a successful operation with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Clark International Airport against a suspected Chinese wildlife smuggler in 2016.

In 2017, the joint wildlife enforcement operation of DENR and NBI in Bulacan resulted in the seizure of more than 100 illegally traded animals, including the blue-naped parrot and Palawan hill myna, both considered as endangered species. (Ian Ocampo Flora, Sun Star)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1819808

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Rescued ‘pawikan’ released in Subic Freeport on World Turtle Day

The Ocean Adventure Marine Theme Park here celebrated World Turtle Day last Tuesday (May 23) by releasing “George,” an Olive Ridley sea turtle that was found by a fisherman in Olongapo City eight years ago.

George was released at the Camayan Beach Resort under the supervision of animal experts from the Ocean Adventure Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (OARRC).

According to OARRC personnel, George was brought to Ocean Adventure in 2010 by Olongapo fisherman Rodrigo Poblete, who found the turtle at a beach when it was still a juvenile that weighed only two kilos.

Poblete kept the sea turtle as a pet for over a year until it eventually outgrew the kiddie pool where it was kept. Then Poblete turned over the sea turtle to the local government unit of Olongapo, which then referred him to the Wildlife In Need (WIN) Rescue Center.

WIN brought George to Ocean Adventure where he was rehabilitated and fed with the proper nourishment, and where veterinarians conducted monthly physical examinations to ensure his health.

And after several months of close monitoring, George was moved to a large natural lagoon where other rescued sea turtles were rehabilitated.

SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma lauded the effort in saving the sea turtle, pointing out that it “certainly makes a huge difference in the preservation of the pawikan, which are known to lay their eggs in beaches at the Subic Bay Freeport.”

Eisma added that the SBMA has been working hand-in-hand with local government units and private organizations in rescuing endangered animals such as sea turtles.

The OARRC had so far accepted 62 sea turtles that were rescued in the Freeport and various towns of Zambales and Bataan. These included 19 Hawksbill sea turtles, 16 Green Sea turtles, and 27 Olive Ridley sea turtles.(JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

“George,” a sea turtle rehabilitated at the Ocean Adventure Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is released to the sea on Tuesday by Ocean Adventure OIC Robert Gonzaga, Community Environment Officer Marife Castillo and SBMA public relation manager Armie Llamas. The release coincided with the celebration of World Turtle Day, which aims to provide awareness for turtles and tortoise and to encourage human involvement for their survival. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Juvenile Olive Ridley sea turtle released

A juvenile green sea turtle was recently released at the Camayan Beach Resort here on March 30.

The sea turtle was rescued in Danacbunga, Botolan, Zambales on March 1. It had a hook stuck in its throat and a wounded right flipper.

According to Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBMEI), the sea turtle they named “Wendy” was brought to Wildlife In Need (WIN) animal rescue center here on March 14.

It had undergone a medical procedure to remove the hook and was nursed back to health under the supervision of SBMEI veterinarians.

The SBMEI statement said that "After allowing time for Wendy to heal, the release was made with the guidance of DENR region 3 and Ocean Adventure's animal care team.”

Earlier, another sea turtle they named “Hook” was released on March 23. It was rescued in San Felipe, Zambales on February 22 and was operated on March 3 to remove a hook stuck on its throat. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Local tourists and resort staff witness the release of a juvenile Olive Ridley sea turtle back to the sea after it undergone wound treatment at the Ocean Adventure marine theme park in Subic Bay Freeport zone. The rescued sea turtle was turned over weeks ago to the Wildlife in Need animal rescue center by fishermen from Danacbunga village in Botolan, Zambales after it was found with a fishhook stuck in its neck. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Olive ridley sea turtle rescued by Olongapo fishermen

OLONGAPO CITY – Three fishermen rescued an olive ridley sea turtle on Friday at the lighthouse area in Barangay Kalaklan.

Roel Avia, Dennis Galvez, and Kevin Del Pilar found the 22-inch sea turtle at the lighthouse area Friday morning. The three teenagers turned over the marine animal to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Department.

SBMA Deputy Administrator Atty. Chot Kabigting said that the teenagers turned over the sea turtle, fearing that the animal might get tangled up in fishing nets if released near the shore. He ordered the SBMA Harbor Patrol to release the sea turtle away from the fishing nets.

The Ecology Dept. tagged the animal and hopes to see it migrate again in Subic Bay next year.

“It was probably nesting here, thank goodness that there are fishermen like these teenagers, who are still taking care of our marine life,” Kabigting said.

SBMA environment management specialist Rhea Jane Mallari, who was about to monitor the giant clams in Subic Bay, led the release of the turtle a few meters from the shore of All Hands Beach Resort.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino lauded the efforts of the three teenaged fishermen, stating that people should take from them their effort in assuring the life of a marine animal.

“Nakakatuwa at meron pa palang mga mangingisda sa atin na magpoprotekta ng kalikasan. Dapat talagang tularan ng ibang mangingisda ang mga kabataang ito,” Paulino said.

The olive ridley turtle that the boys rescued was 69 cms wide, 64 cms tall and was around 40 to 60 years old. With many beaches surrounding the area, Subic Bay has been a favorite nesting ground for these endangered animals. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTOS:

[1] Fisherman Dennis Galvez (left) and an SBMA Harbor Patrol officer carry the olive ridley sea turtle that was found in Olongapo City on Friday. Galvez and two other boys, Roel Avia and Kevin Del Pilar, rescued the turtle in Barangay Kalaklan and turned it over to the SBMA Ecology Dept. (Jonas Reyes)

[2] SBMA Ecology Center manager Ruel John Kabigting (left) and SBMA environment management specialist Rhea Jane Mallari give a good luck pat to an Olive Ridley sea turtle before members of the SBMA Harbor Patrol release it back to the open sea on Friday morning. The sea turtle, locally known as pawikan, an endangered species, nearly got entangled in the nets of fishermen from Olongapo City, who later turned it over to the SBMA. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.mb.com.ph/olive-ridley-sea-turtle-rescued-by-olongapo-fishermen/

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Ocean Adventure gains custodial rights over stranded dolphins

Ocean Adventure now has custodial rights over rehabilitated and stranded dolphins that may not be able to survive in the wild.

The open marine water park in Subic Bay, along with the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN), signed a Memorandum of Agreement on July 18 with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Offices 1 & 3 granting such custodial rights to Ocean Adventure.

Covered in the agreement are three dolphins given the nickname "dynamite girls" as they were victims of dynamite fishing that left them with significant hearing impairment. Because of this, they are deemed 'un-releasable' as they may be unable to survive in the wild. The dolphins will now be staying in a safe permanent home at Ocean Adventure.

Ocean Adventure partnered with BFAR ten years ago to form the PMMSN as the national organization to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured whales, dolphins and seacows (dugong).

The PMMSN now has over 3,000 trained BFAR personnel and stakeholders around the country, over 60 veterinarians trained in their medical treatment, and recorded over 620 stranding events to their credit.

 Ocean Adventure has responded to 58 of those strandings, and operates the only rehabilitation facility in the country - the Dolphin Rescue Center. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

'Kagitingan' is the latest victim of dynamite fishing and rescued by the PMMSN. She now stays at the Ocean Adventure Dolphin Rescue Center. http://subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2015/06/rescued-dolphin-alive-well-at-ocean.html

Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement. (Standing from left): Nelson Bien, FRMD OIC Reg 3; Dr. Leo Suarez, Treasurer of PMMSN; Carlo Magno, SBMEI VP for Zoo Operations. (Seated from left): Lemnuel Aragones, PMMSN; Mr. Nestor D. Domenden, BFAR Director Region 1; Ms. Gail Laule E. Laule, PMMSN; Mr. Wilfredo M. Cruz BRAF Director Region 3.

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Rescued dolphin alive, well at Ocean Adventure

SUBIC FREEPORT - A stranded dolphin that was rescued by members of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) last April and brought to the Dolphin Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at Ocean Adventure, a marine theme park here, is on his way to a full recovery.

Gail Laule, chief operating officer of Ocean Adventure, said that the dolphin was named "Kagitingan" because he was rescued in the town of Subic, Zambales on April 9, or the Day of Valor.

Laule said that “through the timely efforts of PMMSN members and the Ocean Adventure Dolphin Rescue team, Kagitingan is alive and well today. He has been in rehabilitation just over a month and has completely recovered his buoyancy and can swim, dive, and do low breaches."

She added that his vigor and appetite "are now fully restored, and there are no signs of complications that might give rise to a concern. Having said that, there is still the possibility that he is suffering from some degree of hearing loss. "

She added that if Kagitingan's hearing loss is significant “he would not be able to find fish, communicate with other dolphins, and survive in the wild."

In the meantime, Laule said that Kagitingan has developed a close tie with April, a dolphin who was also rescued and transported to the Dolphin Rescue Center, some time ago. "They rest, eat, and swim together," she added.

Dr. Leo Suarez, staff veterinarian at Ocean Adventure, said that after Kagitingan was brought to Ocean Adventure, the animal was provided with 24/7 care by staff and trained volunteers to keep him safely afloat and to closely monitor his condition.

But now, Kagitingan has “a great appetite and eats four times a day. He has just been recently taken off antibiotics but still receives three different supplements everyday," he added.

Suarez said that Kagitingan might be suffering from “acoustic trauma,” which is highly likely caused by dynamite fishing.

Laule said that Dr. Aude Pacini, an expert on acoustic trauma, will be brought into the country to look at Kagitingan's condition.

"We will spare no expense in guaranteeing that Kagitingan gets the best care possible. His rescue and treatment is symbolic of our commitment to the welfare of marine mammals, and to the success of PMMSN," she said.

Laule noted that six dolphins have been brought to Ocean Adventure in the last year due to injuries caused by dynamite fishing. Two died, including a Frasers Dolphin named Julius from Pangasinan.

The other three survived but suffered permanent hearing loss.

Fondly referred to as the Dynamite Girls," they are living in the open water lagoons at the Park.

Laule said that the PMMSN network “is unrivalled in its effectiveness and excellence. We are doing great work, and saving lives of marine mammals all throughout the country. There is nothing quite like it in the world.”

Laule added that anyone interested in becoming a trained volunteer and member of the PMMSN “should contact Ocean Adventure through our FB page or our website PMMSN.ORG, or call 047-252-9000. (PR, SunStar Pampanga)

PHOTO:
Kagitingan – The Rough Toothed Dolphin. Named by the first responders from Subic Town.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/06/03/rescued-dolphin-alive-well-ocean-adventure-411216

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Ocean Adventure team rescues stranded dolphin

SUBIC, ZAMBALES – A Dolphin Rescue Team from Ocean Adventure, a theme park at the Subic Bay Freeport, rescued a male rough-toothed dolphin on Thursday with the assistance of local members of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN).

Dr. Leo Suarez, staff veterinarian at Ocean Adventure, said that the rough-toothed dolphin that was first spotted by residents swimming close to the shoreline at about 7 a.m. had ‘’already lost his buoyancy, and is very weak.”

At the time, first responders of PMMSN waded into the water and held the stranded dolphin afloat for over two hours before the rescue team arrived.

A crowd that had gathered were asked to keep their distance and minimize noise as it would only add to the distress of the animal.

Upon arrival, Suarez, along with Ocean Adventure marine mammal experts and volunteers, examined the dolphin and collected a blood sample for analysis. The dolphin was then carefully placed in a stretcher and carried to the boat where he was transported to the Dolphin Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at Ocean Adventure.

Dick Mendigorin, a local member of PMMSN, said he first saw the dolphin at about 7 a.m. and then ‘’guided him to where we can keep his [blowhole] above the water so he can breathe.”

Mendigorin was helped by two other locals, a fisherman and an Army personnel, in keeping the dolphin afloat. They took the dolphin near a boat, where they improvised shelter for the animal, and took turns caring for him until the Ocean Adventure team arrived.

Suarez praised the efforts of Mendigorin and the others who cared for the dolphin. He told Headline Gitnang Luzon that “based on what we saw, their response was good – and their training definitely helped.”

Suarez added that based on his initial diagnosis of the animal’s condition, it is likely the dolphin is suffering from ‘’acoustic trauma. The dolphin will be provided 24/7 care by staff and trained volunteers to keep him safely afloat and to closely monitor his condition. Once we get the blood results we will give him the proper medications, fluids to hydrate him, and begin to offer him fish this afternoon.”

He noted that six dolphins have been brought to Ocean Adventure in the last year due to injuries caused by dynamite fishing. Two died, including a Frasers Dolphin named Julius from Pangasinan. The other three survived but suffered permanent hearing loss. Fondly referred to as the Dynamite Girls, they are living in the open water lagoons at the Park.

Another rough-toothed dolphin, April from Ilocos Sur, is currently being rehabilitated under the care of veterinarians at the Rescue Center.

Gail Laule, Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Adventure, said that ‘’as this rescue has shown, the work of the PMMSN is crucial for saving the lives of these stranded animals. We have to train local members of the PMMSN because they are the first responders. With their help we can now begin the process of hopefully nursing the dolphin back to health. “

Laule said that, in recent years, the PMMSN network ‘’has grown considerably, with over 3,000 trained first responders nationwide, and is now virtually unparalleled in the world. It is truly something that Filipinos should be proud of. And we are honored to be one of its founders and prime movers. “

Laule added that anyone interested in becoming a trained volunteer and member of the PMMSN “should contact Ocean Adventure through our FB page, or call 047-252-9000.” (Mhike R. Cigaral, Headline Gitnang Luzon)

http://www.headlinegl.com/ocean-adventure-team-rescues-stranded-dolphin/

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WIN holds fundraising for rescued animals in Subic

A fundraising event was held in this premier Freeport on Saturday to help support animals that were rescued by the Wildlife In Need (WIN) Foundation, a non-profit organization that operates a wildlife rescue center here.

Dubbed as “Unbridled at El Kabayo,” the fundraising event aims to get financial assistance from Freeport residents and visitors to help provide food for the 21 horses at the El Kabayo riding stables here and maintain the area in tip-top shape.

The event, which also served to re-launch the operation of the riding stables, showcased a quadrille by El Kabayo cowboys, a bull whipping demo, a show-and-tell of rescued animals by WIN, an Aeta cultural show, a horse jump exhibition, line dancing, barrel race, and other outdoor activities.

According to Ocean Adventure CEO Gail Laule, all the proceeds from the rides and other activities during the fundraising would go to the care of horses at the El Kabayo stables, which offer horse rides to paying tourists.

“We (WIN) have formed a great partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to provide care for the horses here while giving a great experience to tourists,” Laule said.

SBMA Chairman Robert Garcia, meanwhile, said that he was glad that the El Kabayo stables, which is one of the establishments synonymous with the Subic Bay Freeport, is still in operation.

He noted that during the early years of the Subic Bay Freeport, the El Kabayo stables were used to house the horses that were used during SBMA parades by former SBMA chairs like Senator Richard Gordon and Congressman Felicito Payumo.

The area used to be a commercial tourist destination, but is now under the WIN Foundation, which entered into an agreement with the El Kabayo stables in 2008 for the care of the 21 horse there.

In 2011, WIN signed a memorandum of agreement with the SBMA to take over the complete management of the horses and operations of the stables. Today, the stables offer horseback riding, riding lessons and educational programs to support the care of the horses.

WIN is a non-profit organization focusing on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, the campaign against the wildlife pet trade, and community education. WIN operates and has headquarters at its Wildlife Rescue Center in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The WIN Rescue Center provides care and housing for sick, injured, and confiscated wildlife. Many of the animals that come to WIN were rescued from the illegal wildlife pet trade. The majority of animals are successfully rehabilitated and returned to the wild.

However, for animals that have lost the ability to live on their own, WIN provides a permanent home for them at the Rescue Center.(JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
The cowboys of the El Kabayo riding stables in the Subic Bay Freeport show off the horses during the “Unbridled at El Kabayo” fundraising event on Saturday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Marine Mammal Stranding Network holds 2nd nat'l symposium

The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Inc. (PMMSN) recently conducted its 2nd national symposium at the Camayan Beach Resort and Hotel here with a theme “Empowerment of members by promoting best practices in stranding response, research and repository".

The conference was attended by 70 participants from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Local Government Units, media practitioners and private sector nationwide.

According to Lemnuel V. Aragones, president of PMMSN, the convention is a great platform to empower the members by educating one another through sharing of knowledge, best practices and experiences and imbibing a participatory process to building consensus.

"We are pushing for more support on efforts towards the major aspects of our network particularly on stranding response, information education and communication, governmental and policy issues and research and collaboration," Aragones said.

Meanwhile, Atty. Asis G. Perez, BFAR director, said the seminar is timely and relevant in giving more complete information on the stranding response technicians in making good judgment on the conservation of marine mammals in the Philippines.

He also stressed the need to educate the public and, particularly coastal inhabitants, on the importance of marine mammal conservation because "an empty stomach knows no law".

Likewise, Gail Laule of Ocean Adventure and vice president of PMMSN said that by giving environmental education to people, we will have greater chances of changing public attitudes and ultimately garner public support to avert marine mammal stranding.

"It is our responsibility to raise public awareness on the importance of marine mammals and to motivate individuals and communities to respect, protect and conserve our marine resources," she added.

"We already have formal Memorandum of Agreement with BFAR Regional Offices 1, 2, 5,8, 11 and 13 and hope to get all the other regions on this as the MOA binds all of our goals and aspirations," Aragones added. (ALM/SRA/PIA2)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1841414888396/marine-mammal-stranding-network-holds-2nd-nat-l-symposium

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Goodbye Tonka - Subic marine park’s last false killer whale dies

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—The last of the highly trained false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) that have become star attractions at the Ocean Adventure Marine Park here died on Saturday, park officials announced on Thursday.

Tonka, who was 18 years old, succumbed to an inoperable bowel disorder, “despite the best medical efforts and 24-hour care,” said Gail Laule, executive vice president of Ocean Adventure. The disorder that killed Tonka was “common to false killer whales in the wild and those in human care,” Laule added.

Tonka was reportedly the last of six false killer whales that Ocean Adventure had imported in 2001 for display at its open-water park here.

Ocean Adventure had four species of cetaceans: false killer whale, bottlenose dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin and spotted dolphin.

Laule said Tonka was rescued in 1996 from the Japanese drive fishery, which she described as a tightly regulated program to control wild populations of whales and dolphins to protect Japanese coastal fish stocks.

For the next 18 years, Tonka reportedly lived with other cetaceans in Ocean Adventure’s natural open-water lagoons where he could dive deep, swim fast and catch live fish, Laule said.

The park official added Tonka and the other marine mammals at Ocean Adventure were at the core of a strong educational and conservation agenda.

“Tonka won the hearts of millions of visitors and schoolchildren and helped educate and motivate them to protect the oceans and the animals that inhabit them,” Laule also said.

The death of Tonka, however, revived calls by animal-rights groups like the Earth Island Institute (EII) and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to shut down the marine park here.

On Tuesday EII announced that it will conduct a picket in front of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry in Quezon City to protest Ocean Adventure operations in the wake of Tonka’s death.

However, Timothy Desmond, chairman and chief executive officer of Ocean Adventure, said in a separate statement that Tonka’s death is now being exploited by animal-rights groups “to get attention for themselves so they can make profit.”

“Groups like EII and PAWS, who do nothing directly beneficial for the cause of animal welfare, should stop using the natural death of a false killer whale for their fund-raising activities by seeking publicity,” Desmond said.

He added that, for many years, EII and PAWS have engaged in a campaign attacking the reputation of Ocean Adventure “by deliberately making false claims and generating negative publicity against the company.”

“The truth is, these groups know next to nothing about these animals. All they know, and what they are good at is making noise to damage us economically.” (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Tonka, a 10-year-old false killer whale at Ocean Adventure. Photo courtesy of the Free Tonka Facebook page

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/38952-subic-marine-park-s-last-false-killer-whale-dies

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2 rescued dolphins in Subic marine park doing well (video)

Valentina and Scarlett, two spinner dolphins under the care of Ocean Adventure Marine Park here are showing signs of recovery.

"Valentina," a young adult spinner dolphin, was found beached on the eve of Valentine's Day with an old shark bite wound in Ilocos Norte; while "Scarlett", an adult dolphin, so named  because she was found beached and wounded in an area in Masinloc, near Scarborough Shoal.

Ocean Adventure marine operations director Carlo Magno said both dolphins suffered from acoustic trauma that caused impairment of navigational senses and loss of buoyancy. Both are believed to have been injured by blast fishing.

According to Magno, after almost three weeks in rehab, Valentina is doing very well and can swim on her own, while Scarlett has just been transferred from the round pool to join Valentina in the deeper sea pen. Scarlett’s blood picture and buoyancy has also improved.

Both dolphins were turned over to Ocean Adventure for rehabilitation because it is the only center in the entire country that provides 24/7 rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals in partnership with a Norwegian maritime training facility here, the International Development and Environmental Shipping School (IDESS).

Magno added that they are still in need of volunteers to look after the progress of the dolphins’ rehabilitation.

Early this week, an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin they named “Phina” was added under the care of marine mammal health experts in Ocean Adventure after she was found stranded in Balanga, Bataan manifesting weakness, loss of buoyancy and appetite. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

video: DMS

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2 injured dolphins treated in Subic marine park

Two rescued spinner dolphins turned over to the Ocean Adventure Marine Park here for treatment and rehabilitation are now showing signs of recovery under the care of animal health experts.

The spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), both female, are believed to have been injured by blast fishing. One was rescued in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and the other in Masinloc, Zambales.

Ocean Adventure marine operations director Carlo Magno said both dolphins suffered from acoustic trauma that caused impairment of navigational senses and loss of buoyancy.

Aptly called "Valentina," the 1.7-meter-long and 50-kilogram spinner dolphin from Ilocos Norte was found beached on the eve of Valentine's Day with an old shark bite wound.

Valentina was transported to the Ocean Adventure rehab facility on March 1. Barely a week in the facility strapped with improvised floaters, Valentina began showing signs of full recovery including regaining buoyancy, according to Magno.

Meanwhile on March 5, "Scarlett", the other spinner dolphin, was found beached and wounded in an area in Masinloc where blast fishing was believed to have occurred.

The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) said that "Scarlett" was eating some of the dead fish after the blast when another blast came and injured her.

Scarlett was transferred to Ocean Adventure on March 8 with impaired navigational senses and loss of buoyancy. She was also strapped with an improvised floater but still remains under critical care, as she still cannot swim or stay afloat.

As of now, Valentina is already swimming in Ocean Adventure's open sea enclosure, while Scarlett stays in the round pool.

"We are giving both dolphins the necessary vitamins and food supplements to aid them into full recovery from their injuries and trauma," Magno said.

"We can only hope that Scarlett recovers from her injuries and trauma," Magno added.

Ocean Adventure houses the only center in the entire country that provides 24/7 rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals.

PMMSN said they intend to make the rehab center fully equipped to better nurse stranded mammals back to health. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Scarlett, a spinner dolphin believed to be injured from dynamite fishing blast, is being nursed back to health at the Ocean Adventure Marine Park in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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'911' FOR MARINE MAMMALS | Stranding Network volunteers meeting in Subic

MANILA - With its famously long coastline, the Philippines is, not surprisingly, one of the places where stranded marine mammals end up and are rescued each year.

From Wednesday to Friday (Oct. 9-11) the network of volunteers and supporters that has made a vocation out of responding to stranded mammals is meeting at Subic.

Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) will hold its first national symposium on Wednesday to Friday at the Camayan Beach Resort Hotel and Ocean Adventure, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, to gather its members and supporters who have been involved in responding to stranded marine mammals for eight years now.

Around the same time last year, three whales were found stranded in Zambales, La Union, and Zamboanga, all in one week, eventually dying, or already dead.

The symposium aims to “share knowledge and experiences” in marine mammal stranding, to “discuss relevant data and issues” particularly on these creatures as “valuable sentinels of ocean and human health”, and to broaden the network while addressing the issues related to its functions.

They are composed of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, local government units, coastal communities, and private individuals who have responded to strandings, said PMMSN.

It added that the network was established because of the Philippines’ “long coastline”, the threat faced by marine mammals, and the number of strandings in the country which involve live animals (seven out of ten stranders are alive).

It has certified over 2,500 responders in the country, especially since Regions 1, 3, 5, and 7 are noted as “stranding hotspots”, where more marine mammals are stranded than in other regions.

The symposium involves “hands-on stranding response training”, as well as talks on such topics as the techniques in the initial response to stranding, veterinary medical issues, and the rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals, said PMMSN.

There will be discussions on “Necropsy Procedures and Precautions for Marine Mammals”, “Impacts of Dolphin Watching on Dolphin Behavior and Dolphin Watching Protocols”, and “Special Case Studies of Stranding Response in Region 2”. (Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com)

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/72356/911-for-marine-mammals--stranding-network-volunteers-meeting-in-subic

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Mali to Subic and back

HOLLYWOOD actress Pam Anderson, Paul McCartney and even Mayor Joseph Estrada cannot deny Mali a permanent home in the capital, said Manila C­ouncilor Don Juan Bagatsing.

While moving the pachyderm to a second country is discounted, he said no final deal has been made either to have the mammal transferred to Subic Freeport.

But Bagatsing, tourism committee chairman, said his sponsored resolution has been unanimously passed on “an ironclad public assurance” that the 39-year old elephant, should be returned safely to Manila Zoo immediately after its rehabilitation and modernization.

“Manila should take all necessary actions to ensure the elephant’s proper transport to the Subic facility, her suitable integration and assimilation unto new surroundings, and, more significantly, her definitive homecoming, back to her newly enhanced home in a much better Manila Zoo,” he said.

“We support, wholeheartedly, our President-Mayor’s recent pronouncements on Mali, especially in rejecting calls demanding for her lifelong relocation to a foreign habitat abroad,” he said.

“Nothing yet is set-in-stone as there remains much to be threshed and

fine-tuned on the supposed arrangement with the Subic-based park.”

Bagatsing said the city council has been left in the dark.

“No one from the Zoomanity-Zoobic Group has briefed the City Council, as well as the local Public Recreations Bureau,” Bagatsing wondered.

Zoobic Safari president Albert Yupangco asked city hall to allow his company to have Mali in its 50-hectare theme park in Subic Bay freeport.

Yupangco said the park was suitable to the elephant brought into the county at age three in 1977 from Sri Lanka as a gift to then First Lady and now Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

At the time, Bagatsing’s father, the late Mayor Ramon Bagatsing, sheltered the country’s only elephant, Vishwa Maali, her full name, at the city zoo.

“Amidst ruthless badgering of hard-line animal groups with super-celebrities, the Mayor of the City of Manila, His Excellency Joseph Ejercito Estrada, repeatedly has stood firm to keep the elephant permanently in the Manila Zoo,” Bagatsing said. (Macon Ramos-Araneta, Manila Standard Today)

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Mali going to Zoobic

MANILA - Mali the elephant is finally leaving the Manila Zoo, but only temporarily, and not for a sanctuary in Thailand.

The elephant will stay in a park in Subic once the renovation of the Manila Zoo starts.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday said he agreed to the request of Zoomanity Group (ZG) to allow the company to take care of Mali at least temporarily.

“It would be temporary because we will be constructing a world class Manila Zoo. While it’s being constructed we might give (Mali) to Subic... We will not let go of Mali,” he said.

ZG of the Yupangco Group of companies operates several farms and zoos including Zoocobia Fun Zoo at Clark Freeport, Zoobic Safari in Subic and the Paradizoo Theme Park in Cavite.

In a letter to Estrada, ZG said it could provide better care for the elephant.

The request came amid the campaign of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to transfer Mali, a gift from Sri Lanka to former first lady Imelda Marcos during the 1970s, to a sanctuary in Thailand.

PETA said Mali has been suffering from loneliness and a possibly fatal foot ailment.

Estrada has repeatedly rejected PETA’s call, adding that Mali would soon have company as two more elephants from Sri Lanka would be given to the city government. (Aie Balagtas See, Philippine Star)

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Subic Freeport hosts 1st SEA Marine Mammal Stranding Network Symposium

Marine biologists from ten Southeast Asian countries pooled their expertise here since Monday to establish a network that would effectively deal with the growing incidence of marine mammal stranding in the region.

The 1st Southeast Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network Symposium and Workshop held at Camayan Bay Resort here on February 4-9 drew 50 marine mammal stranding experts and scientists from the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The symposium was organized by the Subic-based Ocean Adventure Marine Park, Hong Kong’s Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF), and Subic’s Wildlife in Need (WIN), in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology at the University of the Philippines (UP-IESM), and the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN).

Among the resource speakers were Dr. Lien Chen Chou (National Taiwan University), Gail Laule (WIN), Timothy Desmond (Ocean Adventure), Timothy Ng (OPCF), and PMMSN president Dr. Lemuel Aragones.

In a briefing, Ng explained that the ultimate objective of the symposium is to establish a regional stranding station for the marine mammal stranding network representatives to work together and effectively respond to stranding reports.

Ng said that the OPCF is supporting numerous conservation groups and marine mammal stranding chapters in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, by providing financial support and technical assistance.

“Ocean Park Conservation has a long history of conservation connection with the Philippines, and for this Ocean Park has donated HK$2.5 million to the Philippine conservation NGOs, various universities and different institutions to support their 30 conservation projects,” Ng said.

For his part, Desmond said that the symposium-workshop aims to engage stakeholders and experts in an exchange of knowledge about the current and future affairs of marine mammal stranding networks in the region, the diseases the animals are confronting, and the condition of the ocean in the area.

Desmond added that in the Philippines, when marine mammal stranding experts show up in the community, they interact with local people in such a way to transform residents’ attitude towards marine conservation.

“We point out that these animals are of value to the entire eco-system where they live in,” he explained.

Experts in the symposium also noted that in the past, stranded dolphins and whales were usually slaughtered by fisher folks for meat. Today, however, people are more aware of the importance of saving these animals, prompting them to report any stranding incident to authorities, they added.

Meanwhile, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia commended the initiatives of the symposium organizers, saying that Subic Bay and the nearby coastal areas would benefit from the establishment of a marine mammal stranding network, as they are among the local places where strandings occur.

Garcia added that Ocean Adventure and Wildlife in Need, both members of the PMMSN, have been playing important roles in saving and documenting incidents of stranded marine mammals in the area.

He also noted that Ocean Adventure has conducted workshops on marine mammal (cetacean) stranding for the local Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) professionals, technical personnel, veterinarians, and members of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) nationwide.

Because of the efforts done by the Ocean Adventure in disseminating information on marine mammal stranding, members of local aquatic resources councils and residents in coastal communities have been at the forefront of rescuing stranded marine mammals, Garcia also observed. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Dr. Lemuel Aragones, president of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (right) stresses a point during a press conference in the on-going Southeast Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network Workshop and Symposium held at the Camayan Beach Resort in Subic Bay Freeport. Joining him are Timothy Ng, deputy director of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation-Hong Kong; Timothy Desmond of Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc.; and Gale Laude of Wild Life in Need.

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Elusive beaked whale stranded in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—A rarely seen species of whale was stranded yesterday at the shoreline of barangay Cawag in Subic, Zambales, the first time that such a stranding of an “elusive” deep-sea creature was documented in the Philippines.

The whale, a male specimen of the Blainville’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), was seen circling the area for two days, then ended up dead at the seashore on Wednesday morning, witnesses said.

Residents of sitio Matangib, located near the Hanjin shipyard at the Redondo Peninsula here, said they tried to push back the whale to deeper waters, “but it kept coming back to the shallows.”

The stranding was documented by authorities from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Ecology Center, the local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Ocean Adventure Marine Park.

Dr. Leo Suarez, a marine biologist at the Ocean Adventure, said this was the first time for biologists to document the beaching of a Blainville’s Beaked Whale in the country.

“This is certainly a rare sighting,” Suarez said. “I believe this is the first time that a Blainville’s Beaked Whale has stranded itself here in the Philippines.”

He added that the cause of the stranding was not known, as the whale species is known to inhabit waters from 1,600 to 3,000 feet deep.

Suarez and the team from Ocean Adventure conducted a necropsy of the animal to determine the cause of death. Thereafter, the carcass was chopped off for an on-shore burial in the area.

The whale measured 4.8 meters long­—a typical size of an adult male—and weighed about 500 kilograms, the biologists said.

It required almost 20 men to haul the animal to the shore where the examination was conducted.

According to the MarineBio Conservation Society, Blainville’s Beaked Whales are “deep divers” found in tropical and warm waters in all oceans.

Strandings of the dense-beaked whale have been reported off Nova Scotia, Iceland, the British Isles, Japan, Rio Grande do Sul, South Africa, Central Chile, Tasmania and New Zealand.

The species got its name from what is described to be a unique, remarkable feature—the “extremely dense bones in the rostrum, which have a higher density and mechanical stiffness than any other bone yet measured.”

While widely distributed, the animals are rarely sighted at sea “due to their long dive times, deep habitat, and unobtrusive surfacing behavior,” the web site of MarineBio said. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

In Photo: Earth Day visitor Marine biologists measure the Blainville’s Beaked Whale that beached in Subic, Zambales, the first known stranding of the species in the Philippines. The rare visitor came just day before the global celebration of Earth Day.

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Rescued dolphin recovering in Subic

One of the dolphins stranded along the coastal towns of Pilar and Orion in Bataan the other day is now recovering under the care of animal health experts at the Ocean Adventure marine theme park here.

The dolphin was transported to the marine facility here late on Tuesday after it was observed to be having problems in balancing itself.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said that veterinarians from the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium-Ocean Adventure (SBME-OA), as well as experts from Subic-based groups Wildlife in Need (WIN) and International Development and Environmental Shipping School (IDESS) are now monitoring the animal, which has shown signs of recovering.

At least 200 melon-head dolphins, which are considered as threatened species, were spotted in shallow waters off Bataan the other day for still unknown reasons.

Three of the mammals had since died as fishermen and personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) tried to herd them into deeper waters.

The solitary dolphin that was brought to Subic as part of the government’s rescue effort, was very weak when it arrived here, said Olga Piaga, executive assistant to Ocean Adventure president John Corcoran.

She said the animal was placed in a circular pool and experts are tending to it around the clock.

“It’s very weak possibly because of dehydration, which causes it to lose balance,” Piaga said. “If we leave it alone, it might drown — even if it is an aquatic animal.”

Piaga said the dolphin will be staying in Subic for a couple of days before being freed into the open sea.

“We would like to determine what causes some of the dolphins to become weaker than the others,” Piaga added, saying that all the data collected by Ocean Adventure’s marine animal experts will be brought abroad for thorough study.

The results will only be available after next week, she said.

Arreza said animal health experts from the Subic marine park were tapped “for the medical aspect” of the rescue effort, while BFAR took responsibility for monitoring the movement of the dolphin pods.

“The primary concern now of our government is to keep these dolphins alive. And animal experts from the Ocean Adventure and WIN came in to help,” he said.

BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr. said earlier that the dolphins may have been disoriented by a sea quake, or that the pod could have been following a sick or injured leader into shallow waters.

If the leader of the pod is weak or injured, it is easily disoriented and may lead the others in its pod to be beached, he added.

Ocean Adventure’s Piaga said the SBME-OA has successfully rescued several stranded dolphins in the past. However, it was the first time for the facility to respond in such mass stranding as that which occurred on Tuesday. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: Animal health experts at the Ocean Adventure marine park in the Subic Bay Freeport tend to a dolphin, which was weakened after getting stranded off the coast of Bataan on Tuesday.

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