Sharp increase in Ningaloo whale shark injuries might be due to boat encounters
Scarring and major lacerations due to vessel collisions becoming more common, study finds.
Almost one-fifth of the whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef Marine Park show major scarring or fin amputations, with the number of injured animals increasing in recent years, new research reveals.
Distinctive scar patterns strongly suggest many of the injuries are caused by boat collisions, says whale shark scientist Emily Lester from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).
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