Massive whale shark has horrible propeller injuries

There is an area near Isla Mujeres, Mexico where the whale sharks congregate to feed on krill and fish eggs. These massive and beautiful creatures are truly the gentle giants of the ocean. Although they are sharks, they could harm a human, even if they wanted to. They have no teeth and even their throat opening is narrow, making it impossible to swallow a large creature, as some people believe.Show more

Whale sharks collect food by swimming through the water with their large mouths open. They pass the water over their gills to filter out the protein rich aquatic life. Their favorite food is plankton, tiny organisms that float on the water near the surface. Once they fill their mouths with water, they close them to expel water out through the gills.

This large male whale shark is easily identifiable by the injuries on his dorsal fin. Researchers and tour guides have closely examined these cuts in his fin and they believe that they were caused by a large propeller on an ocean vessel much larger than a tour boat. Because his dorsal fin now resembles the plumage on a rooster's tail, they have named him "Rooster". He is seen frequently at these feeding grounds and his injuries do not seem to hold him back from thriving.

Animal lovers can actually swim with these majestic beasts, but it is highly recommended that people do a little research and select only an ethical tour operation. This group of wildlife videographers carefully chose "Searious Diving" due to previous experience with this tour company. They have been instrumental in establishing rules and guidelines for tours that will protect the sharks while allowing people an unforgettable experience. In fact, on this day, the tour guide informed the group that there were too many boats in the area and that the sharks were being affected by questionable the approaches of less ethical operators. For this reason, they moved farther out from the feeding area. Fortunately, the whale sharks had also moved away from the busy spot and their behavior in the quieter areas allowed for some spectacular opportunities to see the whales up close.

Respecting the sharks and protecting them from improper behavior is just one of the reasons why ethical tours are important. Searious Diving also leads the way with respect to conservation efforts.