By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Residents of Barangay Zone 1A, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental were surprised when they found a dead whale shark believed to have been trapped in a fish pen last Saturday.
The incident happened a week after a whale shark was also found trapped in a fish pen in the waters of Barangay Banago here on September 18. It survived.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Negros Occidental, said the dead whale shark in Pulupandan was smaller compared to the one in Barangay Banago.
The dead whale shark was towed and taken to the shoreline, which was one kilometer away from the fish pen.
The PCG immediately coordinated with the Municipal Agriculturist and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – 6 for the proper turnover and disposal of the animal.
Based on their examination, the dead whale shark was estimated to weigh about two tons, with a length of 7.37 meters, and a width of 1.42 meters.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of its death.
