By Henry Empeño / Correspondent
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—A stranded dolphin rescued in April by members of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN) is now on its way to full recovery after almost two months of rehabilitation at the Ocean Adventure marine park in this free port.
Kagitingan, who was named as such because it was rescued in Subic, Zambales, on April 9, the Day of Valor, has already regained its appetite and vigor, said Gail Laule, chief operating officer of Ocean Adventure, which operates a Dolphin Rescue and Rehabilitation Center here.
The rough-toothed dolphin was first spotted by Subic residents as it was swimming close to the shoreline, weak and already without buoyancy. The first responders from PMMSN reportedly held the stranded dolphin afloat for over two hours until the Ocean Adventure team arrived.
Laule said Kagitingan has been in rehabilitation since being brought to the center and has now completely recovered his buoyancy.
“He can swim, dive and do low breaches,” Laule said in a statement on Wednesday.
“His vigor and appetite are now fully restored, and there are no signs of complications that might give rise to a concern.”
However, Laule said that there is still the possibility that he is suffering from some degree of hearing loss.
Leo Suarez, staff veterinarian at Ocean Adventure, said Kagitingan might be suffering from “acoustic trauma,” which is highly likely caused by dynamite fishing.
Despite this, Suarez said that 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 every day,” he added.
He said that since 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.
Laule added that if Kagitingan’s hearing loss were significant, “he would not be able to find fish, communicate with other dolphins, and survive in the wild.”
Laule added that Aude Pacini, an expert in acoustic trauma, will be brought into the country to look at Kagitingan’s condition.