The long-term preservation of the whale shark, caught on February 6, 2012, in the Gora Bari area in Pakistani territory of the Arabian Sea, is under process after which it would be displayed for the general public as an icon of biodiversity of the country.
The tissues of all the organs of the specimen have been preserved for any laboratory analysis in future and for accurate age determination of the specimen.
It is being processed at Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) for its long preservation as after 65 years, a second biggest specimen has been landed at Karachi coast.
Talking to APP, PMNH Zoological Department Director Dr Muhammad Rafique said, “It was our moral duty to save this unique creature for the benefit of our researchers, students and general
public”. The Whale Shark is the biggest fish in the world. It is a rare species and declared vulnerable as its population is decreasing at an alarming rate. He said it is being commercially exploited, as the fish has high value in international trade.
It is called whale shark because it attains huge size like whales and also because its feeding habit resemble to whales. Giving details, he said this Whale Shark has a length of 42 feet and weighs 16 tonnes. Its liver weighed about 800 Kg. Weight of stomach was about 600 Kg, the ovary had a weight of 120 kg and had
about 1,500 eggs. “Our focus is to preserve this unique specimen and display it in the Museum shortly, for future research and for education”.
While it's a shame that a whale shark was killed, at least the body will be used for a great purpose, to raise awareness about these magnificent fish.
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