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Technical personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in
Bicol (MGB-V) recently conducted an immediate investigation on
the reported dwarf Sperm Whale found dead along the shorelines
of Rapu-Rapu in Albay.
In
an investigation report dated January 27, 2006 prepared by the
MGB-V investigating team and addressed to the MGB-V Regional
Director Reynulfo A. Juan showed that a certain Jose Belando
discovered on January 25, 2006 the dead dwarf sperm whale under
a Mangrove tree along the shallow portion of the shoreline of
Purok 6, Sitio Gogon in Rapu-Rapu, Albay. Its body bore
contusions, lacerations and wounds which might have led to its
death.
The
dead whale is about 6 feet in length, 2 feet in diameter and
more or less 70 kilograms. The dead whale was mistaken for a
“Dugong” as earlier reported in the local broadcast media,
the report said.
According
to the report the discovery was immediately reported to the
proper authorities in Poblacion Rapu-Rapu and it was transported
in a pushcart to the Municipal Cemetery for burial since it was
already emitting a foul odor.
The
report also revealed that upon order of the Parish Priest of
Rapu-Rapu the fetuses of the dead whale were taken and given to
a certain David Duran for laboratory analysis and testing in
Manila.
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The dwarf sperm whale found
dead along the shoresof Rapu-Rapu, Albay
It
will be recalled that in October of last year 2 separate
tailings spills occurred at the mine site of Lafayette Phils.
Inc. in Rapu-Rapu, Albay and since then the spills, which
allegedly contained high level of cyanide, has been blamed by
anti-mining groups as the main cause of several fish kills in
coastal villages near the mine site in Rapu-Rapu and neighboring
coastal towns in the Province of Sorsogon.
The
recent discovery of the dead whale is another issue that is
being blamed on the spills which the regional offices of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), MGB and
Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Bicol refused to
comment till after the result of the laboratory analysis on the
dead whale becomes available for verification (LValdez).
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