Say hello to the largest fish in the world, the whale shark. These gentle giants are not related to whales, despite their impressive size of an average 12 metres in length. Whale sharks are calm creatures that 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.
Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Today in History
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The ancient home of the Minoans
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Heaven meets Earth!
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An island made from a vow
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Alps of the sea
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Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
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Like paint on a canvas
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Where can you find this cute creature?
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Cala Luna beach, Sardinia, Italy
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Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
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Mount Sopris, Colorado
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Aýna, Albacete, Spain
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Sunrise at Grand Teton National Park
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A rainbow that’s worth the rainfall
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Part science experiment, part public park
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Red Rocks, Sedona, Arizona, United States
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King of the ocean
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Vancouver Coastal Sea wolves in the Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
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Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington, United States
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Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
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Boxing Day
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An ugly duckling no more
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Point Reyes National Seashore, California, United States
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Floating fruit market, Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh
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Peggys Cove Lighthouse, Canada
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Misool, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
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Come on, guys, this way!
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Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
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Get in tune with International Jazz Day
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Bihar Day
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International Literacy Day