Joint on‑site assessment by the City Agriculture Office and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources yielded no evidence of human‑caused injury or abuse on the whale shark’s body found stranded along the shoreline of Brgy. 35 on Friday, October 30.
Minor scrapes seen on the animal’s head and body were only from its desperate attempts to free itself after it became disoriented and trapped upside‑down in shallow waters as the tide receded, the team noted. The whale shark weighed an estimated 3‑4 tons, a statement from the Bacolod City Communications Office said Sunday, Nov. 1.
“Most likely, it swam into the shallow area to feed on plankton and small fish before it got stranded. The cause of death is undetermined,” Bacolod City Agriculturist Maricar Quiro said.
Some residents, including a local fisherman named Jimmy, recalled the whale shark was already gasping when they spotted it near the shore.
“It was still breathing but catching its breath. You can see its blood there. If it were already bloated, its body would have swollen, and it would have been floating. However, there was still blood present, which means the wounds are fresh.”
The large marine fish was first spotted by local residents and fishermen at around 5 a.m. Friday, October 30, in the shallow coastal waters of Brgy. 35. Fisherfolk shared that this whale shark had long been a familiar sight in local waters, often swimming alongside their boats while they fished.
“They were a mated pair, a male and a female. Usually, we see them in waters twelve meters deep between Guimaras and Negros,” Jimmy added.
They recalled it appeared uneasy and confused as the water level began to drop early Friday morning.
Upon receiving the report, Mayor Greg Gasataya immediately activated a multi‑agency team for response. Quiro coordinated closely with BFAR to conduct the on‑site examination, followed by a synchronized retrieval operation with the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), and the Philippine Coast Guard. The Coast Guard helped secure the carcass amid rising tides before it was loaded onto a flatbed truck under BFAR supervision.
“For now, the decision, following the recommendation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), is to bury it at the dumpsite, ensuring that the proper precautions and procedures are followed,” Quiro explained.
The city government transported the whale shark to Felisa Landfill for proper interment. Going beyond the standard six‑foot‑deep grave requirement set by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), crews dug a much deeper pit to prevent public health risks from decomposition and ensure dignified disposal.
Mayor Gasataya extended his gratitude to all partner agencies, coastal residents, and volunteers who assisted in the operation.
“Although this is part of nature, we hope this is the last time our city gets to witness such a sad incident,” Mayor Gasataya said in a Facebook post, adding that the city moved fast to safely bury the carcass right away.
BFAR and the city government reminded the public that whale sharks are a protected, harmless marine fish — they feed only on plankton and small fish, and must never be harassed, injured, or harvested for any purpose. Local communities are encouraged to immediately report any stranded marine wildlife to city authorities for prompt response.*
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