SANTA ANA, Cagayan (PIA) - - After the reported stranded marine mammal in this municipality was assessed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 2 as 'healthy', Regional Director Angel Encarnacion said it was immediately released back to the waters today.

In an interview, Encarnacion said the marine mammal identifed as 'whale', though assessed as 'in good condition', has some minor wounds at its pectoral and pelfic fins.

However, Encarnacion said that the whale, according to their Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group (FPLEG), can maintain its bouancy and regained its strength which prompted the team to release it back to waters.

"Currently the team is still on red alert for possible re-stranding of the marine mammal," the regional director added.

The BFAR official said that marine mammals may be stranded due to the loss of their echo direction and lose their way.

The marine mammal stranding team from BFAR was augmented by personnel from the Philippines Marines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Santa Ana Municipal Police Station and local government unit.

Encarnacion urged the public, especially those living in coastal areas, to report to their office any stranded marine mammal because they have a team trained to handle marine mammal stranding properly. (MDCT/PIA Cagayan)