The carcass of a 12.3-meter female sperm whale was found floating offshore adjacent to Barangay Taluya in the town of Glan, Sarangani Province, on 22 February 2026.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Soccsksargen, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) was classified as Code 3 (moderate decomposition), indicating that the animal had been dead for several days.
The resident veterinarian of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), together with marine mammal experts, examined the specimen by conducting morphometric measurements, followed by tissue sampling led by the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).
Based on initial observations, the whale may have originated from the Sulu–Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion and was likely carried by prevailing currents into Sarangani Bay. After data and sample collection, the carcass was properly buried, and GPS coordinates were recorded for possible future scientific exhumation.
The report was received by the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS) from Bantay Dagat member James Selim, prompting immediate coordination with the LGU-MENRO Glan, CENRO Glan, PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and DA-BFAR for a joint stranding response.
The carcass was towed by a PNP Maritime floating asset toward the shoreline of Barangay Tango to allow safe access for examination, documentation, and proper disposal.
Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales in the world and typically inhabit deep offshore waters, migrating across vast marine regions.
The incident highlights the transboundary nature of marine wildlife and the need for broader conservation efforts beyond local waters.
PAMO-SBPS emphasized that protecting migratory marine species requires not only a strong interagency response but also sustained coordination among neighboring countries within shared marine ecosystems.
Strengthening regional cooperation is vital to safeguarding marine wildlife throughout interconnected seas such as the Sulu–Sulawesi region and Sarangani Bay. Samples collected by PAMO-SBPS and BFAR will support laboratory examination and contribute to marine mammal records and conservation efforts in the region.