BACOLOD City – An adult whale shark, locally known as butanding, was found dead along the coastline of Barangay 35 in Bacolod City on October 30, prompting city authorities to coordinate efforts for the removal and proper disposal of its carcass.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the City Agriculture Office (CAO) estimated the whale shark to be about seven meters long and weighing between three and four metric tons.
Initial assessments indicated that the marine animal may have been stranded along the shoreline during low tide and was unable to return to deeper waters, Gasataya said.
The mayor added that no visible injuries were found on the whale shark’s body.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has granted the city government clearance to proceed with the necessary measures for the disposal of the carcass.
The CAO, Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), and City Engineer’s Office will work together to remove and bury the animal using heavy equipment.
Authorities have yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the whale shark’s death./PN
