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:

Aug 9, 2018Ruins of Inca temples and terraces on Huayna Picchu, Peru
May 27, 2025Mona Vale Rockpool, Sydney, Australia
May 13, 2026Arch and Milky Way, Alabama Hills, Sierra Nevada, California
Oct 24, 2025Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Aug 20, 2022World Honey Bee Day
Mar 9, 2021Spring comes to the Diablo foothills
Dec 24, 2025Christmas Eve
Jul 12, 2025Thomsons gazelles, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Mar 1, 2020Casting a vote for women s history
May 26, 2025Memorial Day
Apr 20, 2020In the Garden of Europe
Sep 8, 2024International Literacy Day
Sep 9, 2019A toast to California!
Mar 31, 2021Paradise, found
Jan 28, 2018Winter scenery near Kuhmo, Finland
Oct 16, 2025A Eurasian lynx in Siberia
Sep 24, 2020Till the cows come home
May 24, 2019Not your average sandcastle
May 9, 2026Skradinski Buk Waterfall, Krka National Park, Croatia
Mar 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Aug 3, 2021A reflection of Europe s past
Dec 24, 2020Hey, don t you guys have somewhere to be?
Feb 2, 2019Groundhog Day arrives—beyond a shadow of a doubt
Apr 10, 2020Brotherly cubs
Jul 14, 2023Shark Awareness Day
May 23, 2022World Turtle Day
Jan 19, 2022Kluane National Park
Aug 7, 2018Guiding ships to safety
Aug 27, 2024Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
Aug 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day