Whale Shark Video: How Did 7-Ton Whale Shark Die?

36-Foot Whale Shark Caught off Pakistan

Pakistani fishermen hauled in a massive catch: a 36-foot, 7.7-ton whale shark. The fishermen say that they discovered the whale shark dead in the water ten days ago. However, one fisherman says that the whale shark was alive when it was caught in the fishing boat's nets, where it later died.

This is important because the whale shark, the largest known fish in the sea, is a threatened species. According to the World Wildlife Fund, 35 whale sharks have been brought into Karachi Port in the last seven years, and Pakistan is on the WWF's radar as a shark-exporting country.

It took five cranes to haul the school-bus-sized whale shark out of water. You can see the video of the process below.

The whale shark's carcass sold for 1.7 million rupees ($18,750).

Whale sharks are filter feeders, eating plankton and tiny fish. They pose no threat to humans.

Videos

40-Feet Long Shark in Karachi Fish Harbour 07-02-2012

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