A 3.04 meters female dugong (Dugong-dugon) with an estimated weight of about 300 kilograms, was found lifeless along the coast of Brgy. San Rafael, Miagao, Iloilo last March 3, 2023. The University of the Philippines Visayas, in coordination with the LGU responded and provided technical assistance in the assessment of the stranded marine mammal.
Residents of Brgy. San Rafael noticed a stench the night before but they did not bother to check where the smell came from since it was windy. However, the smell continued to proliferate until the next morning. Upon further inspection, they saw the dead dugong at the shore and immediately reported it to Punong Barangay Diofe Fatlaunag. He informed Ms. Eden Nequia, fisheries technologist of the Municipal Agriculture Office about it and Ms. Nequia sought the help of Prof. Jerry Ian Leonida, CFOS Public Service Coordinator.
UP Visayas took action and sent the response team that included Precious Nikola Gaurana, Gency Guirhem, Sofronio Peña, Reggie Alla, and Shirley Golez from the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (IMFO), as well as Julius Lacsamana and Leonardo Mooc from UPV Museum of Natural Sciences (UPV-MNS).
An in-situ necropsy was performed by the response team and initial observations reveal that the dugong has a mild hemorrhage on its right lung. However, further investigation is needed to conclude what is its exact cause of death. Hence, the response team collected samples for these analyses.
The carcass was lined with sack and buried in a nearby lot with the help of the barangay officials. This will ensure easier bone retrieval since the bones will be retrieved for curatorial purposes of the UPV MNS.
“We hope to institutionalize a Marine Stranding Watch/Response team in order to respond immediately to any incidents involving marine mammals and other species stranded or washed out alive or dead along the coastal areas of Iloilo Province,” Gaurana shared.
Continued support coming from the LGU and the barangay is important for timely response in order to save stranded animals from possible death. The responsibility of the university is to provide technical expertise in shedding light on this type of situation.
“We shall provide the local officials reliable data-based information on proper monitoring, evaluation and recommendation for necessary disposal or preservation of these species,” she added.
UPV, together with the LGU, works to ensure the conservation and preservation of our marine biodiversity for future generations.
(Photo courtesy of Ms. Precious Nikola Gaurana)
