‘FINDING ‘BUTANDING’: Oslob denies whale sharks disappeared

Local

THE local government unit (LGU) of Olsob has debunked reports claiming the disappareance of whale sharks locally known as “butanding”—the largest known extant fish species that have helped make the town a top tourist destination.

In a statement, the town’s tourism office said whale sharks only moved temporarily to a nearby barangay due to the seasonal abundance of planktons, their natural food source.

"The whale sharks have not disappeared. They were simply observed in a neigboring barangay during this period due to the seasonal presence of planktons, which are part of their natural food source. Because of the abundance of planktons in the nearby area at that time, the whale sharks naturally moved there to feed,” read the statement issued.

The LGU also assured tourists and visitors that operations in Oslob continue as usual, and the whale sharks remain in the surrounding area.

The statement came following a video posted on social media by Hans Walter Paragele Romera on May 22, showing guests and board operators at the shoreline waiting for the whale sharks.

According to Romera, some of the guests have already paid the required environmental fees but whale sharks were not seen in the usual area.

“So ang ubang mga guest nakabayad na so stranded tanan kadtong mga guest na nakabayad na, walay maski-isa nila na nakatan-aw sa whale shark. Ang mga bangka tambay, ang mga guest tambay,” Romera said in his video, adding that some of the tourists decided to go home when whale sharks supposedly didn’t appear.

“Unsa kahay nahitabo sa whale shark nga wala man magpakita karon?” he asked.

The LGU has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and rely only on official announcements from authorized sources.

Whale shark watching in Oslob is one of the most popular tourism activities in southern Cebu where guests can get closer to the gentle giants as they swim in the blue seawaters in Barangay Tan-awan.

Operation starts from 6 a.m. to 12 noon daily.(MyTVCebu)