Trapped whale shark rescued in Cagayan

Fishermen guide a whale shark back into the sea after it became trapped in a fishing net in Barangay Caroan, Gonzaga, Cagayan on Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Screengrab from Joana Tabu FB Live) TUGUEGARAO CITY — A butanding, or whale shark, was accidentally caught in a fishing net and was safely released back into the sea in Barangay Caroan, Gonzaga, Cagayan on Thursday. Fishermen worked together to free the whale shark from the net before leading it back into deeper waters with the help of a motorboat. READ: Butanding season begins in Donsol Bay Article continues after this advertisement The whale shark, considered the largest fish species in the world, appeared unharmed after the rescue. Witness Joana Tabu said it was the largest whale shark she had ever seen. This was the second reported whale shark rescue in Gonzaga in less than a month. On April 22, another butanding was found stranded along the shoreline in Batangan, Gonzaga, and was later returned to the sea by residents using a motorboat. Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are considered harmless and are often referred to as “gentle giants.” They are filter feeders that consume small marine organisms, such as shrimp, crabs, small fish, and plankton, according to research. As a migratory species, whale sharks travel across tropical and warm oceans in search of food and breeding grounds./coa Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.