Stranded Spinner Dolphin Rescue

One rainy Tuesday morning in March, a juvenile spinner dolphin was found by a local fisherman at the shallows of Pajara, Brgy. Omapad, Mandaue City just beneath the bridge that connected Mactan to mainland Cebu. The 4 feet critter was observed to be swimming weakly and with scratches on the back of his head.

I have just logged in to work when I received the message from a friend about the struggling animal. They knew that I have worked extensively in marine conservation and continue to advocate even if I have been working in the corporate field again for many years now.

Because I couldn't get to the site. I got in touch with everyone I know who could help mobilize a rescue effort through any channel: BFAR, DENR-BMB, LGU, and even private groups.

Because it was taking a while to establish communication and rescue effort, I had to resort to a less expected approach. I called my older brother who lived nearby, to go to the site and help assess the situation. And because my brother isn't a marine expert, we had our younger sister, a fisheries technologist who lives in a different province, assist with what to do via video call.

When rescuing a stranded dolphin, make sure that the assessment is done as quickly as possible and to not keep the creature out of water for long. Their skin is so sensitive, they could get sun burnt in just a brief exposure. It is best that they are kept upright, with their blowholes exposed in the air and any exposed surface of theur body must be covered in wet cloth to keep it cool and damp.

Because it was found that the scrapes were superficial and not deep wounds, and because the dolphin showed capacity to move, although weak, the LGU and Bantay Dagat decided to take him far out in Punta Engaño, away from the murky waters and the busy boat traffic of Mactan channel.

When he was released, he was able to swim on his own strength and the rescuers are hopeful that he will recover fast.

Iñigo, my ten year old nephew who was there during the rescue, earned himself the right to name the dolphin. He calls him STEVE T in honor of the local fisherman, Steve Tuñacao, who first found the struggling critter. There is nothing more we wish in this world but to instill in our young ones the value of every single life, that a dolphin is something that should be set free to swim in the ocean and not something that should be locked up in an aquarium for show.

Swim free and have a long life, STEVE T! 💙🐬