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Blog:International Whale Shark Day - August 30: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) with open mouth in La Paz, Mexico.jpg|alt=Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)|thumb|Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)]] | [[File:Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) with open mouth in La Paz, Mexico.jpg|alt=Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)|thumb|Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)]] | ||
August 30 is International Whale Shark Day. A day to celebrate and raise awareness about the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark. These gentle giants are amazing creatures that deserve our respect and protection. | August 30 is International Whale Shark Day. A day to celebrate and raise awareness about the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark. These gentle giants are amazing creatures that deserve our respect and protection. | ||
[[File:Whale-Shark-Scale-Chart-SVG-Steveoc86.svg|alt=Whale sharks are gentle giants of the ocean can can grow up to 14 meters long and weigh up to 20 tons.|thumb|Whale sharks are gentle giants of the ocean can can grow up to 14 meters long and weigh up to 20 tons.]] | |||
[[File:Whale-Shark-Scale-Chart-SVG-Steveoc86.svg| | |||
[[Whale Shark - Rhincodon typus|Whale sharks]] are gentle giants of the ocean can can grow up to 14 meters long and weigh up to 20 tons. They have a distinctive pattern of white spots and stripes on their dark grey skin, which helps them camouflage in the water. Each whale shark has a unique pattern, like a fingerprint, that can be used to identify individuals. Scientists use photo-identification techniques to track and study whale sharks around the world. | [[Whale Shark - Rhincodon typus|Whale sharks]] are gentle giants of the ocean can can grow up to 14 meters long and weigh up to 20 tons. They have a distinctive pattern of white spots and stripes on their dark grey skin, which helps them camouflage in the water. Each whale shark has a unique pattern, like a fingerprint, that can be used to identify individuals. Scientists use photo-identification techniques to track and study whale sharks around the world. | ||
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According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), whale sharks are classified as endangered, meaning they have a very high risk of extinction in the wild. It is estimated that their global population has declined by more than 50% in the last 75 years. | According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), whale sharks are classified as endangered, meaning they have a very high risk of extinction in the wild. It is estimated that their global population has declined by more than 50% in the last 75 years. | ||
[[File:Cypron-Range Rhincodon typus.svg|thumb|Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm-temperate waters around the world. ]] | [[File:Cypron-Range Rhincodon typus.svg|alt=Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm-temperate waters around the world.|thumb|Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm-temperate waters around the world.]] | ||
The main threats that whale sharks face are from human activities, such as hunting, fishing, boat collisions, habitat loss, and climate change. Whale sharks are hunted for their meat, fins, oil, and skin, which are used for food, medicine, cosmetics, and leather. They are also caught as bycatch in fishing nets and gear or injured by boat propellers and their habitats are degraded by pollution, overfishing, climate change, and coastal development. | The main threats that whale sharks face are from human activities, such as hunting, fishing, boat collisions, habitat loss, and climate change. Whale sharks are hunted for their meat, fins, oil, and skin, which are used for food, medicine, cosmetics, and leather. They are also caught as bycatch in fishing nets and gear or injured by boat propellers and their habitats are degraded by pollution, overfishing, climate change, and coastal development. | ||