The Oslob Tourism Office has officially refuted social media rumors claiming that whale sharks, locally known as butanding, have vanished from the waters of Oslob. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on May 22, 2026, the office clarified that the gentle giants have merely moved to a neighboring barangay due to seasonal changes in their food source.
Official Statement
The Oslob Tourism Office stated: "We would like to clarify that the information circulating online claiming that the whale sharks in Oslob have disappeared is FALSE. 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 of feeding. OPERATIONS IN OSLOB CONTINUE AND THE WHALE SHARKS REMAIN WITHIN THE SURROUNDING WATERS."
Tourism Continues
The local government assured that tourism activities in Oslob remain active. Authorities urged the public to rely only on authorized sources of information and to avoid spreading false reports.
Temporary Closure
Despite the clarification, a tour agency offering whale shark watching in Oslob posted on its Facebook page that "Whale shark interaction/operation is temporarily closed." The agency explained, "The whale sharks are not showing today (Friday, May 22, 2026) because of the situation or may move farther due to seasonal changes of their natural food source and sea conditions, so the activity cannot proceed."
Tourist Disappointment
In another post, it was reported that tourists and guests were disappointed on that day when they expected to experience whale shark watching after having paid, but after hours of waiting, no whale sharks appeared. The question "Where are the whale sharks?" trended on social media.
The whale shark, often called the gentle giant of the sea, has been a major tourist attraction in Oslob, drawing both local and foreign visitors. The tourism office continues to monitor the situation and provide updates to ensure accurate information reaches the public.
