Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United Kingdom
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United Kingdom
  3. 2024
  4. August 30
  5. A whale shark in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios A whale shark in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

August 30, 2024

A whale shark in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

© Andy Lerner/Tandem Stills + Motio

Being gentle to the giants. International Whale Shark Day

Every year on August 30, ocean enthusiasts come together to draw attention to whale sharks and advocate for them. These gentle giants have been around for more than 240 million years, but the first specimen was discovered off the coast of South Africa in the 1820s. As the world's largest fish, whale sharks can grow up to 12 metres, with one reaching a record 18.8 metres. Found in tropical oceans around the world, these filter feeders glide through the water, mouth wide open, straining plankton and small fish. Each pattern on their dotted, starry skin is as unique as a human fingerprint. Sadly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists whale sharks as endangered due to overfishing, habitat loss and climate change. Amid adversity, there's hope, like in Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia, a whale shark oasis that's pictured here. Here, these titans dine on the generosity of fishermen who feed them baitfish for luck, reflecting a unique bond between man and marine life.

reef underwater aquarium fish animal marine mammal shark diving marine invertebrates fin marine biology dark

Related Images

Atlantic spotted dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, PortugalAtlantic spotted dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal
Group of giant cuttlefish in Spencer Gulf, off Whyalla, South AustraliaGroup of giant cuttlefish in Spencer Gulf, off Whyalla, South Australia
Humpback whale mother and calf, TongaHumpback whale mother and calf, Tonga
Crescent-tail bigeye fish in the Great Barrier Reef, AustraliaCrescent-tail bigeye fish in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
A green sea turtle swims in the Pacific Ocean near the French overseas territory of New CaledoniaA green sea turtle swims in the Pacific Ocean near the French overseas territory of New Caledonia
California sea lion in a forest of giant kelp, Baja California, MexicoCalifornia sea lion in a forest of giant kelp, Baja California, Mexico
Mototi octopus, Lembeh Strait, IndonesiaMototi octopus, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Dolphin pod near Réunion island, Indian Ocean, overseas department of FranceDolphin pod near Réunion island, Indian Ocean, overseas department of France

Today on Bing

Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Aug 30, 2023
Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, Italy

Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, Italy

Aug 30, 2022
Crater glow from Mount Mayon in the Philippines

Crater glow from Mount Mayon in the Philippines

Aug 30, 2021
Hay bales in a field in Jutland, Denmark

Hay bales in a field in Jutland, Denmark

Aug 30, 2020
Blackpool Pier and Tower illuminations, England

Blackpool Pier and Tower illuminations, England

Aug 30, 2019

Related Tags

aquarium animal underwater fish reef water marine mammal swimming ocean shark fin marine biology dolphin whale marine invertebrates outdoor common bottlenose dolphin bottlenose dolphin aquatic mammal cartilaginous fish
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.