LEGAZPI CITY – A 25-foot butanding (whale shark) was found dead Tuesday by fishermen off the coast of Barangay Burok-Burokan, Monreal, Masbate.
Artemio Dejocos said that he and a few other fishermen of the village spotted the huge floating carcass of the whale shark at 4 a.m. and immediately notified the municipal officials who, in turn, notified the police and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Lt. Commander Edgar Buado, Masbate PCG station chief, said PCG personnel were able to tow the Butanding to shore in Monreal town some six hours after the find was reported.
Buado said it was found out during an initial investigation that the animal suffered 12 bullet wounds in the head where eight slugs of .45 caliber and M16 bullets were extracted.
It was suspected that armed illegal fishermen poaching in the narrow channel between Monreal town on Ticao Island, Masbate and Donsol, Sorsogon were responsible for the fatal death of the butanding.
Link:
http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2006052564974.html
