The Georgia Aquarium is offering the public a chance to swim with whale sharks. Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest known fish, so they are rare in captivity. Their feeding behavior, diet, and size make whale sharks unsuitable candidates for captivity, since these characteristics pose certain challenges by making them difficult to house. The aquatic beasts can grow around 45 feet in length or more.

Outside of Asia, the Georgia Aquarium is the only aquarium to house whale sharks in captivity. Two whale sharks have been lost in recent years at the Georgia Aquarium, and there is plenty of dissent on whether these gigantic cartilaginous fish should be kept in captivity. However, the Aquarium is investing in conservation and scientific programs that focus on whale sharks. Furthermore, the Aquarium maintains that its programs are important to connect humans with conservation and nature.

Personally, I’m not sure how I feel about keeping such large creatures in captivity. Certainly, the conservation awareness factor is immense; however, so are the resources involved, risks, and unknowns. I do believe in zoological conservation and its utility, but some species should not be in captivity unless it’s absolutely necessary. In my opinion, species that demonstrate intelligence such as parrots, higher primates, and marine mammals in addition to species that naturally have large territories like big cats are good examples of species that are not good candidates for captivity.

Additionally, not to sound like a first year law student, but certainly a balancing test is appropriate to apply in analyzing such conundrums. Considering the totality of the circumstances is important as well. Such key factors in determining whether an animal belongs in captivity or is appropriate for a particular aquarium or zoological park may include: The intelligence and behavior of the species, resources needed to successfully keep the species in captivity, the aquarium’s or zoo’s budget, the status of the species in nature, or the awareness factor generated by keeping the species. There is no bright line rule to apply. From The Canadian Press, ATLANTA:

“An immersion experience is the ultimate way of connecting people and animals,” said Bruce Carlson, the aquarium’s chief science officer.

“It’s a real opportunity for us to expand ways for people to get to know the animals here at the aquarium and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our visitors to see animals they’ll probably never get a chance to see in the wild.”

But the ambitious program has raised concerns from critics who worry that dangling legs and curious tourists could stress the habitat of the whale sharks and thousands of other animals that share the massive tank.

“There’s a chance these animals can become stressed because of the increase in the amount of people in their environments,” said Lori Marino, an Emory University biologist who studies whale biology. “Not only can it affect their physical health, but their mental health. And we don’t know how much stress this puts on the animals or how they could respond.”

The Georgia Aquarium is one of the few places that have ever attempted to house the creatures, and the only in the U.S.

See more Shark Week on The Conservation Report

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On the Net: Georgia Aquarium