Second whale shark dies at Ga. Aquarium

[ahaetulla]

ATLANTA (AP) - Norton, one of the original whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium, died early today, the aquarium’s second whale shark death in five months.

[...]

Norton’s death is the third recent loss for the aquarium. Gasper, one of the Georgia Aquarium’s five beluga whales, was euthanized January second after months of declining health.

Full article here.


Personal comments:
As revealed in a later press statement (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution), Norton’s death was believed to have been caused by the use of a chemical, Trichlorfon, used to treat fish tanks for parasites - a mistake that might have been avoided, had the aquarium exercised more care with regards to the chemical’s administration and dosage.

Little is known about the biology of whale sharks, and there are precious few specimens in captivity. Much has been said about the ethics of keeping cetaceans such as dolphins and whales in captivity, but the recent loss of two whale sharks in a short space of just five months has outlined the fact that large marine fish, too, are fragile creatures that must be kept in captivity with care, if at all.

List of news links here.

[Ssur]

How sad, a magnificent creature of the blue, died in man's captivity.

I wonder what plans they have for the Integrated Resorts in Sentosa, i read articles, that Dolphin Quest will have such a holding/viewing tank for a whale shark.

Free Willy!

[bryan]

Whale shark! My holy grail! I've been diving for years in Thailand and have missed sighting them repeatedly, they appeared when I skipped last year's trip . Well, I did 'cheat' and saw one in the Osaka aquarium in 02. Not the same but still a breath taking experience!

[Jungle-mania]

You might want to head down to Coral Bay or Monkey Mia in Shark Bay (both next to each other) in Western Australia, you get to see your fair share of whale sharks, but best to check the seasons as they are migratory. Also you might get to see large tiger sharks and fish for large spanish and shark mackerels. The place is brimming with sea life, I swam next to shovelnose without realising it to the last moment and I also caught a 3kg golden trevally on a spoon in 1 foot of water!