The Georgia Aquarium holds four whale sharks
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is home to four whale sharks. These are the only whale sharks on display in the United States, and they live in the Aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit, the largest indoor tank in the world when it opened in 2005. The four sharks are named Trixie, Ralph, Norton, and Alice.
Whale sharks are the largest fish species alive today, and they can grow to lengths of 40 feet or more in the wild. At the Georgia Aquarium, the Ocean Voyager tank holds 6.3 million gallons of water and houses not just the whale sharks but also manta rays, sea turtles, and thousands of other fish. The tank is designed to mimic the open ocean environment these animals would experience in nature.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia Aquarium is the only place in the United States where you can see whale sharks in person.
- All four whale sharks at the Aquarium live together in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, which is the world's largest indoor aquarium tank.
- Whale sharks are filter feeders that eat plankton and small fish, and the Aquarium staff feeds them multiple times per day.
- The Aquarium's whale sharks were collected from the wild before international protections made this practice illegal, and they cannot be returned to the ocean.
Why the Georgia Aquarium has whale sharks
The Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005 with a mission to house and care for whale sharks. At that time, the Aquarium imported four whale sharks from Taiwan and Japan. These sharks had been caught in the wild before whale sharks were listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which made future collection illegal without special permits.
The decision to bring whale sharks to Atlanta was controversial. Animal welfare advocates raised concerns about keeping such large, ocean-roaming animals in captivity. The Aquarium responded by building the Ocean Voyager exhibit specifically to meet the sharks' needs, with water temperature, salinity, and filtration systems designed to match their natural habitat as closely as possible.
Today, the whale sharks cannot be returned to the ocean because they have lived in captivity their entire adult lives and would not survive in the wild. The Aquarium maintains them as ambassadors for the species, using their presence to educate visitors about whale shark biology and ocean conservation.
What you see when you visit the whale sharks
When you visit the Ocean Voyager exhibit, you will see the whale sharks swimming alongside manta rays, sea turtles, and schools of smaller fish. The sharks are most active during feeding times, which happen multiple times throughout the day. Staff members feed them a mixture of fish and plankton-based food that mimics what they would eat in the wild.
The exhibit includes an underwater viewing area where you can watch the sharks swim past large acrylic panels. The tank is so large that you may not see all four sharks at once, as they can be in different parts of the exhibit. The Aquarium also offers behind-the-scenes tours and educational programs where you can learn more about whale shark behavior and the care required to keep them healthy in captivity.
How whale sharks are cared for at the Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium employs a large team of veterinarians, biologists, and aquarists who monitor the whale sharks' health every day. The sharks are trained to participate in medical exams, which allows staff to check their weight, take blood samples, and examine them for signs of illness without sedation. This training takes months and requires patience, but it is essential for keeping the animals healthy.
The Ocean Voyager tank requires constant maintenance. The water is filtered continuously to remove waste and maintain the correct temperature and salinity levels. The Aquarium uses a sophisticated system to keep the water clean and safe for all the animals in the exhibit. The sharks are fed a carefully calculated diet based on their size and nutritional needs, and their food is prepared fresh daily.
The whale sharks' history at the Georgia Aquarium
When the Aquarium first opened, all four whale sharks were young and relatively small. Over the years, they have grown significantly, and the Aquarium has had to adjust their care as they matured. One of the original sharks, a female named Whale Shark #1, lived at the Aquarium from 2005 until her death in 2007. The three remaining original sharks have continued to thrive.
The Aquarium has tracked the sharks' growth and behavior patterns over nearly two decades. Staff members have observed that the sharks recognize their caretakers and respond to feeding signals. The sharks have also shown signs of social behavior, sometimes swimming together and sometimes keeping their distance from one another, much like they would in the wild.
Why whale sharks matter to ocean conservation
Whale sharks are filter feeders that play an important role in ocean ecosystems. They consume vast quantities of plankton and small fish, which helps regulate populations of these organisms. In the wild, whale sharks migrate across tropical and subtropical oceans, traveling thousands of miles each year. Their presence at the Georgia Aquarium helps raise awareness about the importance of protecting ocean habitats.
The Aquarium uses the whale sharks to teach visitors about ocean conservation and the threats that marine animals face. Climate change, overfishing, and pollution all affect whale shark populations in the wild. By seeing these animals in person and learning about their biology and behavior, visitors often become more interested in protecting the ocean and the creatures that live there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can whale sharks hurt you if you swim with them?
Whale sharks are filter feeders and do not eat large animals. They are not aggressive toward humans. However, the Georgia Aquarium does not allow swimming with the whale sharks. The Ocean Voyager exhibit is designed for viewing only, and visitors watch from behind acrylic panels or from the main viewing area.
How long do whale sharks live?
Scientists estimate that whale sharks can live 100 to 150 years in the wild, though this is not certain because they are difficult to study. The whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium have lived for nearly two decades in captivity, and researchers continue to monitor their health and lifespan.
Do the whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium breed?
The four whale sharks at the Aquarium have not bred in captivity. Whale shark reproduction is not well understood, and breeding them in captivity would be extremely difficult. The Aquarium's focus is on providing excellent care for the sharks they have rather than attempting to breed them.
How much does it cost to see the whale sharks?
Admission to the Georgia Aquarium includes access to all exhibits, including the Ocean Voyager tank where the whale sharks live. Ticket prices vary depending on the type of admission you purchase. The Aquarium also offers special behind-the-scenes tours and educational programs that cost extra but provide closer views and more detailed information about the sharks.
Are there whale sharks anywhere else in the world in captivity?
A few other aquariums outside the United States have whale sharks, including facilities in Mexico, Japan, and the Middle East. The Georgia Aquarium remains the only place in the United States where you can see whale sharks. Most whale sharks live in the wild in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world.