December 6, 2012
Pregnant Whale Shark Rescued off of Mexico
Kudos to a team of divers off the coast of Mexico who rescued a pregnant whale shark from near-certain death after the gentle giant became entangled and trapped in a thick rope some 90 feet underwater.
The divers were accompanying a group of tourists off of Roca Partida, a remote volcanic outcrop that is part of the Revillagigedo Islands 250 miles Southwest of Cabo San Lucas, when they discovered the 33-foot 15-ton animal. After the animal was cut loose it showed deep scars where the rope had cut into its back and fins.
Despite their massive size (they are the world’s biggest fish and their mouths are large enough to fit a human inside) whale sharks are docile filter feeders, gulping down huge quantities of plankton, small fish and krill.
Like all sharks, whale sharks are targeted for their fins and face serious conservation concerns. Learn more about this majestic animal.