Study finds Indonesian hotspots are 'like home' for endangered whale sharks
Summary
A 10-year study tracked 70 whale sharks in Indonesia and found that two bays, Cenderawasih Bay and Saleh Bay, are home to these endangered animals throughout the year. This challenges earlier beliefs that whale sharks only visited these places seasonally and highlights the importance of protecting these areas.Key Facts
- Researchers tagged and tracked 70 whale sharks off Indonesia over a decade.
- Whale sharks moved through waters of 13 countries and open ocean areas.
- Two Indonesian bays host whale sharks year-round, not just seasonally.
- Cenderawasih Bay is already a protected national park with less tourism.
- Saleh Bay is popular with tourists and near farming and aquaculture, which can pollute water.
- Pollution and fishing activities threaten whale sharks, leading to strandings.
- Conservation groups are working to create a marine protected area in Saleh Bay.
- The study provides new data to help protect whale sharks better.
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