Natural history: Preserved whale shark to go on display

ISLAMABAD: The whale shark, which was found dead, on February 6, in Gora Bari in the Arabian Sea by fishermen, will go on display at the Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH). The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the biggest fish in the world. It is a rare species, declared vulnerable as its population is decreasing at an alarming rate. Auctioned at the Karachi Fish Harbour for Rs200,000 the next day, it was bought by a man who charged money for exhibiting the specimen. Director PMNH Zoological Sciences Division Dr. Rafique said the tissues of all the organs of the specimen have been preserved for laboratory analysis in future and to determine its age.  A team of scientists and technicians from PMNH preserved the shark in a record two days. The whale shark measured 42 feet and weighed 16 tons.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2012.