A melon-headed whale was found stranded along the shoreline of Barangay Idiacacan in Pandan, Antique, on 23 June, adding to recent marine mammal deaths recorded in the country.

According to the Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU)-Antique, the whale was first spotted by local resident Richard "Baroy" Lavega near Purok Mantul-ang at around 8:20 a.m.

When Lavega approached the area, he saw the marine mammal struggling near the shore and immediately sought help from other residents, who worked together to bring the animal onto the beach.

Witnesses said the whale appeared weak and had visible injuries, including marks around its tail fin that indicated possible entanglement. Deep wounds were also found on its right side and on the soft tissue near its head and back.

Barangay officials reported the incident to the Municipal Agriculture Office. Authorities responded to the scene, but the marine mammal later died after it was brought ashore.

Officials said the whale measured 113 inches, or 9 feet and 5 inches, in length and 18 inches in width.

Authorities said the animal may have weakened after becoming entangled in fishing lines, while some of its injuries may have been caused by a hard object.

After the assessment, the whale was buried on the beach using a backhoe provided by the local government unit.

The melon-headed whale, or Peponocephala electra, is a small, highly social toothed whale that belongs to the oceanic dolphin family Delphinidae. It is part of a group commonly known as "blackfish" and is named after its rounded, melon-shaped forehead and lack of a protruding beak.

In the Philippines, melon-headed whales are regularly spotted in deep tropical and subtropical waters, including the Bohol Sea, Cebu Sea, Tañon Strait, Honda Bay, and the Babuyan Channel.