International Whale Shark Day Aug 30, 2025

If you"ve never seen an over- 10-metre, polka-dotted fish gliding past coral reefs, you are missing out. Today is International Whale Shark Day, a reminder that these slow-motion giants need our attention. First observed in 2008, the day is used by researchers and marine advocates to spotlight conservation efforts and threats like vessel strikes, plastic pollution and unregulated tourism. Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea, but don"t let the word "shark" fool you. They"re plankton-eating giants with no interest in humans. Found in warm waters from the Maldives and Mozambique to Mexico"s Yucatán coast, they often show up in food-rich, calm waters. Their mouths can stretch over a metre wide, but they feed by suction, not biting.

© Bachir Moukarzel/Amazing Aerial Agency

palette

Today in History

Aug 30, 2023Celebrating sibling bonds
There’s more to Pisa than leaning towers
Aug 30, 2024International Whale Shark Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 25, 2024Adélie penguins
Jul 30, 2024San Gimignano, Siena, Italy
Apr 27, 2024Leucistic Annas Hummingbird
Nov 20, 2025Mother manatee and calf, Crystal River, Florida, United States
Angry bird, doting dad
Mar 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
Fly me to the moon
Oct 30, 2024Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, United Kingdom
Mar 15, 2026Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Jan 23, 2025Sundance Film Festival
Apr 21, 2026European hedgehog, France
Nov 15, 2024Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Dec 8, 2024Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington, USA
Feb 17, 2026Chinese New Year
Sep 13, 2024Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Oct 3, 2024Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
A temple to treasure
Nov 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Sep 12, 2024World Dolphin Day
Sep 14, 2024Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile
Nature’s blue wonder
Strong sibling bonds
Dec 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings
Teddy bears of the sea
Sep 20, 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Apr 11, 2026Papagayo Beach, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Sep 22, 2025Autumn equinox
May 6, 2024The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
Go fly a kite!