BACOLOD CITY - A whale shark trapped in a fish pen was found dead at Barangay Zone 1A, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental on Saturday, Sept. 25.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) - Negros Occidental responded to the said report after receiving a call from a resident in the village.
The whale shark was towed and brought to the shoreline, which is one kilometer away from the fish pen.
The PCG immediately coordinated with the Municipal Agriculturist and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) - Western Visayas for proper turnover and disposal of the animal.
Based on the examination conducted by the municipal agriculturist and BFAR representatives, the whale shark was estimated to weigh about two tons.
It has a length of 7.37 meters, and a width of 1.42 meters.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of its death.
The dead whale shark was a bit smaller compared to the one that was also seen trapped in a fish pen on the waters of Barangay Banago here on Sept.18, but was able to survive.