Bacolod:The city government of Bacolod, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), has emphasized the need for stronger marine protection after a three-ton whale shark beached on October 30.

According to Philippines News agency, Mayor Greg Gasataya swiftly activated a multi-agency response team to handle the situation. The team managed to bury the whale shark's carcass at the city's sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa on the same day. Mayor Gasataya expressed his hope that such a tragic incident would not occur again in Bacolod.

The city government and DA-BFAR reminded the public that whale sharks are protected and harmless marine animals that feed only on plankton and small fish. They urged local communities to report any stranded marine wildlife to authorities for a prompt response.

An on-site assessment by the City Agriculture Office and DA-BFAR indicated that the whale shark's body showed no signs of human-caused injury or abuse. Minor scrapes were observed on the animal's head and body, likely due to its attempts to free itself after becoming disoriented in shallow waters.

City Agriculturist Maricar Quiro suggested that the whale shark may have entered shallow waters to feed before becoming stranded. The cause of death remains undetermined. The whale shark had been a familiar presence to local fishers, often swimming alongside their boats.

The DA-BFAR highlighted that the Philippines hosts the second-largest population of whale sharks globally. Protection efforts include a ban on catching them under the Philippine Fisheries Code and initiatives to preserve their biodiverse habitats. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies whale sharks as endangered.