Dumaguete city: The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental has pledged to enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to protect wildlife in the province. This commitment follows the discovery of two dead marine animals this week.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative came after a pregnant melon-headed whale and a green sea turtle were found dead near Pantawan People's Park along Rizal Boulevard on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. PENR Officer Jimmy Panebio emphasized efforts to safeguard marine life and other wildlife species through collaboration with local communities and partner agencies.

Panebio mentioned the recent completion of training for Deputized Environment and Natural Resources Officers (DENRO) and Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEO) in Manjuyod town. Similar training programs have been conducted in Ayungon, Bindoy, and Tayasan, with further sessions planned next week in Bais City, Amlan, Tanjay City, San Jose, and Sibulan.

He praised the quick response of government agencies and civilian groups during the marine mammal stranding incident near Pantawan. The responders included the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Silliman University marine laboratory, and DENR-PENRO.

The melon-headed whale was taken to the BFAR office for a necropsy, where a fully developed fetus was discovered inside. Both were later buried at Mangnao Beach. On Thursday, Coast Guard personnel recovered a dead female green sea turtle near Pantawan Park, where a tumor was found on its body. The turtle was subsequently buried at the PENRO nursery in Barangay Camanjac.

Panebio also noted the report of another sea turtle stranding earlier this week in Bindoy town.