Beloved whale shark rescued from seafood market dies at Georgia Aquarium
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After he was rescued from a seafood market and brought to the Georgia Aquarium in 2007, Taroko the whale shark delighted millions of people who flocked to the facility to see the world’s biggest fish species.
The Georgia Aquarium announced Aug. 21 that Taroko has died.
“Our team noticed changes in his appetite and behavior through wellness monitoring, and his overall condition was deteriorating despite all veterinary and care interventions,” the Atlanta aquarium shared on social media.
Staff made the decision to euthanize him the evening of Aug. 20.
“Taroko showed more than 43 million people the majesty of his species over the nearly two decades he lived here,” aquarium staff wrote. “He also contributed a wealth of data and information about whale shark biology, health and behavior.”
The beloved whale shark was rescued at a seafood market and brought to the facility from Taiwan in 2007, along with another male named Yushan, now the last whale shark at the aquarium.
Whale sharks have been the flagship species at the aquarium since it opened in 2005, but Taroko and Yushan were the last remaining whale sharks gilding around the 6-million-gallon Ocean Voyager tank after two females died in 2020 and 2021.
The aquarium has faced controversy for keeping the world’s largest fish species in captivity, especially after two males, Ralph and Norton, died within six months of each other in 2007, news outlets reported at the time.
Nevertheless, the whale sharks attracted millions of fans over the years, many of whom are now mourning Taroko’s loss and sharing photos and memories of him.
“I have had an obsession with whale sharks for years and dreamed of going to the Georgia aquarium to see them in person, and back in January I finally got that chance,” one Facebook user wrote. “I’m so grateful I was able to see them in person and experience their beauty up close.”
Some visitors could experience the whale sharks extremely up close with guided swim encounters offered by the aquarium.
“What an honor to be able to live a dream of mine and swim with them,” one Instagram user wrote.
Past visitors shared that seeing the endangered whale sharks inspired a lifelong love for the species.
“Genuinely devastated,” one person wrote on Instagram. “Taroko was my favorite (still loved the others I promise). I have so many great memories of sitting and watching them swim by. I would study at Ocean Voyager and all of the whale sharks have been great study buddies.”
Many also expressed condolences for Taroko’s care team, which said he’ll be remembered as “larger than life.” The animals can grow up to 60 feet in length but average 18 to 32 feet, according to the aquarium.
“I’m so honored to be able to witness his beauty and he is the reason I fell in love with whale sharks,” another Instagram user wrote. “I got to swim with him back in 2022. I even got a tattoo on my arm of Yushan and Toroko.”
Aquarium staff said Yushan is doing well. Veterinary staff will conduct a necropsy to learn more about what led to Taroko’s decline in health.
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