Butanding/Tuki in Oslob, Cebu (Whale Sharks Should be Left Alone)
This same attraction can be achieved by Oslob, Cebu, being nearer to the tourists of Cebu City but one disturbing news caught Tutubi's eye-- that the fishermen of Oslob town turned tuki-watching guides are feeding the tuki (butanding) with small shrimps.
Feeding whale sharks may be "more fun" but what they're doing is NOT right!
Such activity is uncalled for and with disastrous results, not now but in the future, where the tukis may become tamed or domesticated thus altering their natural behavior.
Oslob should learn how to deal with tukis in their town by setting up rules in tuki interaction, similar to what Donsol Butanding Interaction rules that simply state:
1. Do not attempt to touch, ride, or chase a whale shark.
2. Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the shark.
3. Maintain a minimum distance of 3 meters from the whale shark and at least 4 meters from its tail.
4. Do not undertake flash photography.
5. Do not use underwater motorized diver propulsions.
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Oslob should try to put in place organized tuki sightseeing tours and avoid ganging up on sighted tukis, note in Donsol only one boat is allowed to interact with butanding. Ganging up on a whale shark may stress out the tuki.
the boats used in Cebu Whale Shark interactions are small ones and no life vests, good only for two people, unlike big boats used in Donsol.
Safety first should be implemented, use bigger boats and require life jackets!
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How to get to Oslob, Cebu:
From Cebu South Terminal, there are bus lines passing by Oslob, Cebu passing by Talisay, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, Sibonga, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, and Boljoon towns with travel time of around 3 hours. No updated bus fares, trip schedules, entrance fees, boat rental charges or whale shark tour rates.
Related posts on Whale Sharks:
Donsol Butanding Whale Sharks
Butanding Donsol Whale Shark Tours
Labels: Cebu, Central Visayas, Ecotourism
posted by GingGoy @ 8:49 PM,
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