Rescuers Try To Save Dolphins Stranded In Manila Bay

[Shirleypal]

Rescuers try to save dolphins stranded in Manila Bay

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(NECN/APTV) - About 200 to 300 melon-head dolphins flocked to the shallow waters of Manila Bay in the Philippines on Tuesday, prompting a massive rescue by hundreds of volunteers and fishermen who used their boats and hands to drive them back to deep seas.

The dolphins were spotted about a mile off shore, swimming back and forth between the Pilar and Orion townships in Bataan province, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Fishermen and villagers trooped to the beach and waded into the chest-deep water, clapping their hands and hitting the surface to drive the dolphins away.

More than 20 boats with their engines off tried to guide the animals out to the open sea.

Fisheries officials were coordinating with private groups and fishermen to stop the dolphins from being beached and prevent more deaths, the governor of Baraan province said.

Wardens were positioned around the area and fishermen warned not to harm the dolphins.

Beached dolphins are not uncommon in the Philippine archipelago but rarely occur in such big numbers.

The unusual occurrence may have been triggered by a sea quake that could have damaged the dolphins' eardrums, according to the bureau.

Dolphins with injured eardrums become disoriented, cannot dive for food and are too weak to swim and just flow with the current.

The other reason might be that the pod could have been following a sick or injured leader.