The Oslob Tourism Office clarified that whale sharks or “butanding” remain in the town’s waters after online claims circulated Friday, May 22, alleging that the marine animals had disappeared from the popular tourist destination.
In a statement, the tourism office said the reports were false and explained that the whale sharks were only observed in a nearby barangay where plankton, their primary food source, had become abundant.
“We would like to clarify that the information circulating online claiming that the whale sharks in Oslob have disappeared is FALSE,” the tourism office said.
“The whale sharks have not disappeared. They were only observed in a neighboring barangay due to the seasonal abundance of planktons, which naturally attracted them to the area for feeding,” it added.
The clarification came after tourists who arrived for scheduled whale shark interactions early Friday morning failed to see any whale sharks during operating hours.
Videos posted online showed tourists waiting along the shoreline and aboard boats while operators monitored the waters for signs of the animals.
Social media user Hans Walter Paragele Romera said it was the first time he had witnessed no whale sharks appearing despite operations starting as early as 4 a.m.
Some tourists reportedly waited for hours, hoping the whale sharks would eventually surface.
The incident quickly gained attention online, with netizens expressing concern over the status of the whale sharks, which have long been one of Oslob’s top tourist attractions.
The tourism office, however, assured the public that whale shark interaction activities continue and that the animals remain within nearby waters as part of their natural feeding movement. (LLP)
| Photo: Oslob Whale Sharks | Tripadvisor |
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