A melon-headed whale died after beaching itself along the coast of Antique province with injuries consistent with fishing line entanglement, local environmental officials said.

The marine mammal was spotted struggling in the surf near Purok Mantul-ang in Barangay Idiacacan by a local resident around 8:20 a.m., according to the Marine Environmental Protection Unit of Antique.

Residents pulled the whale onto the beach and alerted the Municipal Agriculture Office. Responding authorities said the animal appeared weak and died shortly after being brought ashore.

An assessment showed the whale measured 9 feet, 5 inches long and 18 inches wide.

Officials cited the whale had visible markings around its tail fin indicating it had become entangled in fishing gear, as well as deep wounds on its right side, head and back that may have been caused by a hard object.

Following the examination, municipal workers buried the carcass on the beach using local government equipment.

The melon-headed whale, which belongs to the oceanic dolphin family, is found in deep tropical waters across the Philippines, including the Bohol Sea, Tañon Strait, and the Babuyan Channel.

The death is the latest in a recent series of marine mammal strandings recorded across the country.