2nd whale shark died at Atlanta Aquarium

[teach]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070613/...ale_shark_dies

[PelagicMagic]

I wonder what the lifespan of a whale shark is

[crvz]

When I was there a few months ago, they implied it wasnt clear what the life span of these fish is. They don't really even know how to gauge the age of the one's they have in the aquarium, though they believe them to be juveniles as they are only about 16-20 feet (compared to 40 as adults). The aquarium they're in was designed to fit 6 fully grown whale sharks, if memory serves.

[PelagicMagic]

I wonder if these deaths will hurt Instant Oceans image since they bragged their product was good enough for Ralph and Norton. I still have that shirt that came with the bucket of salt.

[ChilisREasy]

ummm if im not mistaken...whale sharks feed upon PLANKTON correct ?...ok..we cant even keep filter-feeding CORALS alive...even public aquariums...so WHY ATTEMPT A WHALE SHARK !!!?!?!

[Jadinop]

The whale sharks have been trained to feed using buckets on long poles. Before coming to the aquarium, they are housed in a floating pen in the ocean that is shaped just like the tank in Georgia. They spent months in the pen learning to feed and getting accustomed to the size of their new home. Each whale shark is target fed by swimming close to the surface and having the buckets of food dumped directly in front of them. If you get the chance to go, I would definately recommend it. When you are in the viewing room for the main tank there are some videos playing on tv's throughout the area that show how the whale sharks were trained to eat. Also if you have the time and money, the behind the scenes tour is pretty interesting. You get to see the whale shark tank from above and even walk out onto the feeding catwalk that spans the top of the tank.

However, In my opinion they will probably not be succesfull in keeping them long term and I wouldn't be suprised if they eventually give up. Where are the whale shark police when you need them?

[200g+guy]

those sharks are 2 million a peice i would be pissed if one died

[ChilisREasy]

Originally Posted by Jadinop

The whale sharks have been trained to feed using buckets on long poles. Before coming to the aquarium, they are housed in a floating pen in the ocean that is shaped just like the tank in Georgia. They spent months in the pen learning to feed and getting accustomed to the size of their new home. Each whale shark is target fed by swimming close to the surface and having the buckets of food dumped directly in front of them. If you get the chance to go, I would definately recommend it. When you are in the viewing room for the main tank there are some videos playing on tv's throughout the area that show how the whale sharks were trained to eat. Also if you have the time and money, the behind the scenes tour is pretty interesting. You get to see the whale shark tank from above and even walk out onto the feeding catwalk that spans the top of the tank.

However, In my opinion they will probably not be succesfull in keeping them long term and I wouldn't be suprised if they eventually give up. Where are the whale shark police when you need them?

even said....there sheer amount of food 1 single shark would require would be unbelivable..i mean really sit & think about it..i think it was a dumb idea..just like the Car-Tire reef...lol

[cmjreef]

All limits must be tested I suppose. It would have been sweet if they still had both of them 25 years after their grand opening, but things don't always go according to plan. Fortunately, a lesson was probably learned and those sharks really impressed and made an impression on a lot of people while they lived. They may have even helped the species as a whole in the long run. A good sacrifice.