Dead butanding recovered in Navotas

MANILA, Philippines — The carcass of a whale shark, locally known as “butanding,” washed ashore near the Navotas Fish Port Complex before dawn yesterday.

The whale shark was at least 15 feet long and weighed more than 3,000 kilos, according to Arsilo Catipay, NFPC police and security division chief.

Fishermen were about to set sail when they saw the whale shark floating several meters from the shoreline at around 4 a.m.

Catipay said they sought the assistance of the Philippine Coast Guard, which lifted the whale shark from the water at around 8 a.m.

Authorities said they were going to bring the whale shark to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, where it will be examined to determine the cause of death.