Dead beaked whale found off Sta. Cruz Island (Philippines)

A beaked whale was found dead off Zamboanga City.

October 18^th, 2014 (RJ Rosalado). MANILA – A 15-foot long whale was found dead near the Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga City on Saturday morning.

The Maritime Police was conducting a regular anti-kidnapping patrol on the coastal areas of Zamboanga City when they saw the dead whale off shore.

Police Senior Inspector Manuel Paulino Fabon, chief of 901st Maritime Police, said they brought the dead whale near the shoreline in Barangay Baliwasan.

Veterinarian Mario Ariola said the whale belongs to the species of Blainville’s beaked whale, which can be found in tropical and warm waters.

The dead whale weighs about 800 to 1,000 kilograms.

Ariola said the whale had bite marks and wounds on its body. However, they cannot confirm just yet its cause of death.

Stranding of whales in Zamboanga peninsula has been reported for the past few years.

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