Whale Shark feeding on plankton in the Maldives, June 2012

Описание: The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme based at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island spent almost two hours with this whale shark today while it was feeding on plankton.

(c) Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

Clear skies and perfect light have meant it has been well worth venturing down to the outer reef. These seasonal westerly winds have a positive influence, stirring up the #ocean and causing upwellings of plankton-rich water. On 9 June 2012 - a few days after spring tide - all of these oceanographic elements came together to provide this whale shark with a real treat. An abundance of tiny jellyfish and plankton meant this hungry shark was feeding at the surface for over two hours!

Found in the #Maldives all year, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a massive filter-feeding shark and, being the largest fish in the world, is one of the country's wildlife 'must sees'. Very little is known about the whale shark, which is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list and classified as 'vulnerable to extinction'.

Sponsored by Conrad Maldives and based at the resort for six months of the year, the MWSRP's research is aimed at filling these knowledge gaps, enabling the effective conservation of this species in the future.

Sightings, video and whale shark information are regularly updated on the resort's facebook page: www.facebook.com/ConradMaldivesRangaliIsland.

More information about MWSRP is on the charity's website: maldiveswhalesharkresearch.org.

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