Dolphins moved to sea in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Authorities in the Philippines say they're waiting to see if about 200 dolphins helped back to sea try to return to dangerously shallow waters in Manila Bay.

Volunteers and rescue workers in about 20 boats Tuesday urged the dolphins toward deeper water, Malcolm Sarmiento, director of the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, told CNN.

"The local fishermen played a major role in preventing the mass group from getting on the beach compared to the past, when they have killed the dolphins for food," Sarmiento said. "Through education and cooperation efforts, they worked very hard to push them back into the wild."

The dolphins may have been following a sick or wounded leader that entered the bay or they might have been moving away from underwater noises, which hurt their eardrums, Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento said it was the first time he had seen so many dolphins in the bay and acting so erratically, CNN reported.