Whale sharks are awe-inspiring creatures gathering in Bahia de Los Angeles yearly. To ensure sustainable ecotourism and proactive management, scientists have developed a model that predicts the abundance of these gentle giants. By understanding the factors influencing their congregations, we can protect the whale sharks and our unique experiences with them. Predictive Modeling and Warming […]
Environmental DNA could provide new insights for tracking whale shark populations
Scientists have developed a new way of tracking whale sharks by collecting eDNA from oceanside areas where we know that whales swim past periodically.
Slow and steady wins the Great Shark Race 2021
The main goal of this unusual race is to further key scientific research aimed at saving these and other endangered shark species.
Mako and shale sharks race to save their fellow sharks
SPOT satellite tags utilize the latest in ocean wildlife tracking technology to allow researchers and the public to follow the sharks online in near real-time via the GHRI Race Tracking Website.
Boat strikes in protected areas could be harming whale shark development
Whale sharks spend a lot of time cruising just below the surface of the ocean, feeding on plankton and small animals. This puts them right in the path of boats.
The biggest sharks tend to be the females of the species
In conducting the research, scientists visited Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef for 11 seasons between 2009 and 2019.
‘Toothy’ eyes serve special function for whale sharks
Whale sharks have protruding eyes contained in a casing that bulges out into the water, and on its tip is the visible part of the eye.
Citizen scientists help track migration patterns of Indonesian whale sharks
Whale sharks’ spot patterns are unique to each one like fingerprints are to humans, with no two whale sharks having the exact same pattern.
Adopt a whale shark from SRI for your new graduate
Your graduate will receive a photograph of their shark, a certificate, a fact sheet about whale sharks, and notifications when and where the shark is seen.
Whale sharks get broader protections in Taiwan
Changes were made to enhance protection of the species by increasing the severity of punishments for offenders.