UAE | Environment
No fresh sighting of small whale shark reported at Dubai Marina
The whale shark spotted swimming close to Dubai Marina on Sunday appears to have escaped after residents said there were no sightings on Monday.
- By Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 June 27, 2006
Dubai: The whale shark spotted swimming close to Dubai Marina on Sunday appears to have escaped after residents said there were no sightings on Monday.
As reported in Gulf News, the fish attracted onlookers when it appeared on Sunday morning and swam close to the barriers at the edge of the pedestrian walkways.
The fish, about five metres long, swam around the bay at the marina for about four hours.
Ania Sikora, a Dubai Marina resident who spotted the whale shark from her 14th floor flat on Sunday, said it was nowhere to be seen yesterday.
"I've been out and we cannot see it and there don't seem to be any crowds out watching it.
"It may have swum out to sea there doesn't seem to be any sign of it here anymore," she said.
Related Links
Sunday's visit followed two previous sightings of a whale shark in Dubai Marina, one in July 2005 and the other about a year before that.
This week's visitor was probably a juvenile as it only measured about five metres in length, while whale sharks can grow to as much as 15 metres.
Whale sharks, which have the scientific name Rhincodon typus, eat plankton and small fish. They have rows of small teeth and gill rakers in their throat to filter food from the water.
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Latest news
- Competition for aspiring photographers
- Dubai porter found dead inside container
- Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
