The Atlanta Georgia Aquarium is most famously known for their large number of animals, size, and most importantly their holding of two whale sharks,winning the name of the biggest aquarium in America. One of their most loved animals Taroko the whale shark sadly passed away on August 21st.
“It is with sadness that we share that male whale shark, Taroko, has passed away,” a Georgia Aquarium staff member said. “Our team noticed changes in his appetite and behavior through wellness monitoring, and his overall condition was deteriorating despite all veterinary and care interventions. Last night, we made the humane decision to euthanize.”
Although they have not shared the shark’s age it is stated that he had been at the Georgia Aquarium facility for nearly two decades. Taroko came to the aquarium after he was rescued from a seafood market in Taiwan.
In 2005, the UPS airlines helped transport both rescued whale sharks all the way back to Atlanta Georgia, traveling over 8,000 miles so they could save them. They kept them in a large tank full of water and kept the sharks comfortable during their travels. They inserted a camera in the tank and let some Georgia Aquarium staff travel along to maintain the shark.
After 20 years at the aquarium Taroko sadly passed away.The other whale shark Yushan is still being well cared for and is healthy, continuing to amaze the people who visit by his crazy size and cool patterns.
