LOAY. – As the province celebrates the 2nd Dolphin fest by the end of this month of the Ocean, a dolphin was seen floating lifeless and drifted ashore, coastal residents of the coastal barangay of Tocdog of this town reported. Barangay captain Romulo Pasko of barangay Tocdog here said in an interview, he believed it has probably been there for two days, citing an unnamed resident who sighted the mammal. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Nestor Canda, who rushed to the scene on the night of May 21, 2012, theorized that the dolphin looked like it was deliberately fish-speared. The species measuring more than five feet long could be a spinner type and it looks like it is a mature one, he said.

Its several wounds numbering 5 to 7 showed evidence that the mammal was being hunted. When it was wounded it losses much blood and rendered it weak thus washed ashore, Canda said. The mammal was already in a decomposing state. Canda requested the barangay chief to bury the carcass of the mammal which the latter promised to do it the following day May 22. Canda immediately reported the stranding incident to Gov. Edgar Chatto. It was expected that the provincial government will vigorously campaign for respect and protection of marine mammals and other wildlife considering that the Bohol sea is one of the havens of migratory mammals for food. Just recently, a sea turtle and another dolphin were washed ashore dead in Duero and Garcia-Hernandez towns, respectively.

Meanwhile, a dolphin festival is already set on May 31, according to the organizers. Activities are already readied, including a parade from Plaza Rizal to CPG Sports Complex to be participated in by goverment agencies and non-government sectors. Gov. Edgar Chatto, Rep. Rene Relampagos and Director Andres Bojos of the regional Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are expected to grace the affair at the sports center. Ribbon cutting and opening of the booths/exhibits and the dolphin school will follow, including dolphin hearing and communication (booth),  photo-identification (booth), dolphin diet (booth), arts and crafts (booth), how big is that dolphin? (outside the booth), dolphin obstacle course (outside the booth) and start of wall painting. There’ll be live band and rescue simulation in the afternoon by the Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Mammal (BRUMM) and Safety Education and a movie showing:”A Fall For Freedom.” Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, president of the Physalus one of the organizers of the fest, will close the program following the announcement of winners of day’s activities.