Whale shark makes a splash at marina

A whale shark has been attracting the crowds at Dubai Marina after getting trapped on Saturday morning.

Various attempts to guide it back out to the Gulf have failed, so authorities have decided to let it find its own way home.

Security staff at the marina spotted the shark at around 7am swimming in the waters close to Spinneys. Police and coastguard boats created sound barriers with their launches to try and drive the shark away but after a few attempts, it was decided to try and put the shark in a net and drag it out to sea.

The net was deemed too small, however, and Dubai police have now decided to let the whale shark finds its own way out.

Captain Hussain Al Rahoomi, rescue director in-charge at Dubai police, said: "We have decided to leave the shark inside the harbour because it is difficult to drive it outside.

"He will find his own way out. He is harmless so he can stay, it doesn't matter if he is inside or outside the marina. I hope when he does leave no fishermen will be waiting for him."

Redha Salman, head of environmental protection and safety section at Dubai Municipality, said: "It is unusual but we have seen two cases so far. A little over a year ago a whale shark was trapped here.

"We do not want to disturb it, otherwise they panic, and reports say he is swimming calmly. Usually they stay in a channel because they are comfortable and have found a feeding source."

Shaun Lenehan, Senior Environmental Scientist from Nakheel said whale sharks are docile and feed on plankton and occasionally fish.

"The scientific name for the Whale Shark at the marina is Rhincodon typus. They grow to 15 meters, weigh up to 15 tonnes and feed primarily on plankton."