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Saturday, January 3, 2009

Report: Injured whale shark dies on Malaysia shore

News from Malaysia. I'm interested in seeing what their fishery officials have to say about this, if they will say anything at all.
Report: Injured whale shark dies on Malaysia shore
January 3, 2009, International Herald Tribune

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A rare 23-foot-long (7-meter-long) whale shark got entangled in a fishing net off Malaysia's northwest coast and was towed to shore but died due to injuries, local media reported Saturday.

Fisherman Key Chai Yang told the New Straits Times newspaper that it took two hours to tow the two-ton shark, known as a Rhincodon Typus, to land after it got entangled in his fishing net early Friday.

He said the shark was still alive when it reached shore in northern Penang state in Malaysia's northwest, but it died shortly after from the multiple cuts it suffered from the propeller blades under his boat.

Why would you tow it to shore? Just cut it loose! Of course it would die from such senseless and cruel treatment!

I'm surprised that the article didn't mention the Endangered status of the whale shark. Such a shame that people are treating this incredible gentle giant with such ignorance.

Which also raises the question... how is Resort World Sentosa planning to "import" their whale shark, which most definitely will have to be transported from another country?

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