7 metre whale shark washes up at Scottburgh

Scientists from the KZN Sharks Board responded to a report of a stranded whale shark on the rocks in front of the caravan park at Scottburgh this morning (Wed, 10 Feb, 2010). Despite some superficial scratches as a result of the being washed over the rocks, the 7m long adolescent male whale shark  was in good condition, indicating it had stranded and died overnight. 

The shark was measured and a number of tissue samples were taken by the Board's research facility.  These samples included stomach contents, which was a mass of small shrimp-like organisms about 3-4mm long. 

Whale sharks are filter feeders sieving these small animals from the water in large volumes and the fact that the shark had a full stomach indicated that it was in a healthy state.

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