A 17-foot whale shark, locally known as "butanding," was found
floating in waters off Batangas, ABS-CBN News reported Monday.
Fishermen said they saw the butanding (scientific name Rhincodon typus),
that looked frail and hungry, near Barangay de La Paz in Batangas City.
Veterinarians from the city's veterinary office are still investigating the cause of the butanding's death.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=99710An initial examination of the butanding's carcass indicated no signs of
wounds or injuries from dynamite fishing.
The animal, which was estimated to weigh one ton, was brought ashore by residents.
Residents said that instead of selling the butanding's flesh, which could easily fetch P60,000 for one fin alone, they are planning to bury it Tuesday.
Lawyer Jun Puicho, a marine conservationist, said that the butanding found in the province's waters indicates that the the Philippines is a rich feeding ground for marine life.
Residents, meanwhile, reported seeing other whale sharks circling the waters near the area. They said the other butanding might be looking for their dead companion.
The waters near the area are part of the Verde Island Passage, a feeding ground for marine life.
The Passage, however, is also a busy shipping lane. Several oil refineries are
also located nearby.
