OSLOB: PARADAIS OR HELL

We spoke in a previous issue of a magical site in a small bay of the Philippines: Oslob, paradise with crystal clear waters where you could swim with almost tame whale sharks, fed by fishermen. But photos broadcast via Facebook sow doubt.

SCANDALE ON FACEBOOK

A few months ago, photos posted on Facebook were scandalous: we saw a young woman perched on the back of an unfortunate whale shark shackled by a rope around the tail, but also tourists encircling the poor beast. Oslob or not Oslob? It was the whole question that then agitated the local public opinion. In any case, even if the snapshots were not taken at Oslob, they come from the region and show how urgent and important it is to monitor and control human activities related to whale sharks.

TWO INJURED ANIMALS

What is, on the other hand, apparently established is that two animals, among those who habitually frequent the Oslob area, were seriously wounded during the same period: one by one spear, without the culprit (s) being found, the other by a boat propeller. The authorities are investigating, biologists are moving, and we insist on the need to respect certain rules of approach: number of authorized boats, safety distance with animals, maximum speed of motor boats ....

WHAT FUTURE FOR OSLOB?

Recall that on another Philippine site, Donsol, the over-crowding eventually discouraged the many whale sharks that gathered in the area from November to May. Despite its status as a protected species, despite the real will of some fishermen to enjoy it otherwise than by selling its fins, the Philippine whale shark is not out of the woods.

More and more local structures simply refuse to take you there, the spectacle is so shocking there…