Another whale shark, locally known as “butanding” or “tuki”, that feed on shrimps and small fishes, died yesterday in the territorial waters of Brgy. Central Tabao, Valladolid, Negros Occidental.

The whale shark, that measured 20 feet long, and 11 feet wide, and weighed about two tons, with its mouth about a meter long was found by two fishermen trapped in their fishing nets Tuesday night.

Almost a month ago, a whale shark weighing about three tons was also found dead in the waters of Brgy, Batea, EB Magalona.

Mayor Romel Yogore yesterday ordered the immediate burial of the sea creature.

In an interview with MBC Aksyon Radyo, Domingo Gillang, said the whale shark may have been running after the “hipon”, also trapped in his fish nets.

Heavy equipment was dispatched by the municipal government of Valladolid to tow the sea creature to its burial site.

Allan Villaruz, secretary of Mayor David Albert Lacson, reported yesterday the sighting of another a whale shark in the waters of Brgy. Batea, EB Magalona, that is much bigger than the butanding that died in previous weeks.

Villaruz said the abundance of “hipon” , small fish and squid, plankton and krill on the coastal areas of EB Magalona, may have attracted the whale sharks.

Sightings of whale sharks, although irregular, were also reported in the coastal areas of Cauayan and Sipalay City when rain occurs.

The catching of whale shark, an endangered specie, is prohibited by the government. * GPB

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