Wounded whale rescued

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Naval Special Warfare Group (SWAG) rescued on Tuesday a wounded whale that drifted near the wharf of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) here.

The eight-foot long black pilot whale was spotted resting near the shore of the Majini Pier at around 8 a.m., according to Navy Lt. Senior Grade Nancy Pastor, NFWM information officer.

Pastor said the navy Seals retrieved the wounded mammal and brought it back to the deep sea. However, it swam back to the navy wharf, sending the Seals to coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

"We can only surmise the reason why it swam back to the beach. It has several wounds which made it a little weak," Pastor said.

But she added that they have no idea how the whale was wounded. It was immediately turned over to the custody of the DENR and BFAR.

The Sulu waters and its channels are regular routes for many water craft and sea vessels and officials believed that the mammal was injured by watercraft propellers.

Rose Contreras of the BFAR said that the wounded whale will be given treatment and held in a huge water tank and would be set free in the deep sea once it has completely recovered.