DAVAO CITY – A carcass of a huge sperm whale was washed ashore of Sitio Sakalig in Barangay Sugal, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on Saturday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao reported on Sunday.
The DENR-Davao said in a press release that two fisher-folk reported to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) after discovering the remains of the massive whale.
The whale, measuring 60 feet in length and nine feet in width, suffered from multiple wounds and was most likely dead before reaching the shores.
The agency said that DENR-Davao Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel A. Evasco directed the PENRO to coordinate with concerned agencies and experts in marine biology for the disposal of the carcass as it poses a potential hazard to the nearby community.
"There is also a need to cordon the area. And the carcass should be disposed of immediately because its smell can be toxic and hazardous to the community,” Evasco said.
According to the agency, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office headed by Harry Camoro will work with Davao Museum and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) to perform a deboning on the carcass.