International Whale Shark Day Aug 30, 2023

International Whale Shark Day

Say hello to the largest fish in the world, the whale shark. On August 30, we celebrate International Whale Shark Day to honor these magnificent marine creatures. These gentle giants are not related to whales, despite their impressive size—they can reach up to 40 feet in length. Whale sharks are calm creatures which are usually safe for divers to swim alongside. These sharks are filter feeders and consume plankton and small fish by sieving them through their gill plates. There has been a significant decline in their populations, with an estimated 63% decrease in their numbers in the last 75 years. Threats include being hit by boats or tangled in fishing gear and their habitats are being damaged by pollution, coastal development and over-fishing. Advocates work through education and community engagement to help safeguard whale sharks and preserve our oceans.

© Jason Edwards/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Aug 30, 2018Castle Frankenstein in Darmstadt, Germany
Aug 30, 2019It s fair season
Aug 30, 2020Hay, what s up?
Aug 30, 2021Behold the perfect cone
Aug 30, 2022Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, Italy
Aug 30, 2024International Whale Shark Day
Aug 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 20, 2018Buddha in the roots of a tree, Ayutthaya, Thailand
Jan 7, 2023Yarn for Distaff Day
Oct 18, 2019Fall color sweeps across the West
Oct 18, 2022The Guggenheim Bilbao turns 25
Feb 10, 2023Ancient theater of Epidaurus, Greece
Nov 27, 2023Río Negro, Amazon basin, Brazil
Apr 1, 2022April Fools Day
Dec 21, 2018Paper lanterns on the longest night
Jan 23, 2024Atolls in the Maldives
Jul 3, 2024World Meerkat Day
Feb 4, 2026Rosa Parks Day
Jul 19, 2025National Moth Week
Aug 19, 2022National Aviation Day
May 6, 2023Azaleas blooming on Hwangmaesan Mountain, South Korea
Apr 16, 2022National Park Week begins
Jul 14, 2022Shark Awareness Day
Apr 14, 2018It’s National Dolphin Day!
Dec 30, 2021Westerheversand Lighthouse
Jan 16, 2026Leopard at Etosha National Park, Namibia
Jun 9, 2018Yarn bombing in the village of Gurnard, England
Sep 25, 2019Chilling out in the Arctic
Mar 28, 2022Kawachi Fuji Garden
Nov 5, 2022Tigh Mor Trossachs on Loch Achray, Scotland
May 30, 2026Plains zebra foal in Etosha National Park, Namibia
Jan 7, 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
Jul 18, 2021Grand finish of Le Tour
Sep 23, 2023Autumnal equinox
May 27, 2026World Otter Day
Aug 26, 2021What are these creatures?
Jan 27, 2022Bluespotted ribbontail ray