An international conservation group is calling for the prosecution of people responsible for the “butchery” of an 18-foot butanding (whale shark) on the shores of Tingloy town in Batangas, with the marine animal’s dorsal and pectoral fins cut off. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) believes poachers from a nearby town could be responsible for the illegal act and urged all sectors concerned to step up enforcement efforts across the country to prevent a repeat of the incident. Based on the documentation of WWF-Philippines, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) was fighting for its life when it was found floating belly up in the rough waters of Bahay Kambing, a sheltered cove in Tingloy town.

Andrade, K. (2010, February 18). Prosecute butchers of butanding - WWF. The Philippine Star, p. A-23.