Killer whales spotted off Sarangani Bay

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Orcas, also known as killer whales, were spotted off Sarangani waters in the first ever marine mammal survey currently being conducted in the province by a team from the Word Wide Fund (WWF)-Philippines.

The survey was conducted in time for the celebration of the Sarangani Bay festival this weekend.

Ariel Decena, of the office of the provincial governor, said that in the past two days since the marine survey started, there were already six interactions recorded showing clusters of marine mammals near the waters of Tinoto and Sumbang coastal towns.

Decena said that yesterday alone, there were three sightings of the orcas in the area.

Dr. Jom Acebes, a member of the WWF team, reportedly went to the distant Balut Island the other night and reported seeing three killer whales approaching the island yesterday morning.

Decena said the sightings show the richness of the marine resources in Sarangani.

Sarangani Bay’s biodiversity is said to be twice richer than Carigara Bay in Northern Leyte, Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte, Bais Bay in Negros and Illana Bay in Northwestern Mindanao.

The survey has reportedly so far recorded three marine mammal species.

Aside from the orcas, other marine mammals seen were the pygmy sperm whale, dwarf sperm whale, Risso’s dolphins, and pilot whales.

Decena said the group plans to do more surveys in the towns of Malapatan, Glan, Kiamba and Maitum, all in Sarangani.

The WWF website reported that orcas (Orcinus orca) are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. With between 48 and 52 large, conical shaped teeth, orcas are the top predators in the ocean.

They are black with white patches usually over the eyes, under the jaw, on the belly, and extending onto their sides. Female orcas can grow to 7.9 meters with a one-meter dorsal fin, and males can reach 8.5 meters with a 1.3-meter dorsal fin.

Orcas can be found in all oceans including in the Philippines, but they seem to prefer cooler, coastal waters. They are social animals and live in stable family groups called pods. Calves live and travel with their mothers even after they are fully-grown. Other members of the pod also care for the calves.