Climate Change Threatens Endangered Whale Sharks

The video discusses the plight of whale sharks, highlighting their endangered status due to human activities and environmental changes. It explains their physical characteristics, ecological importance, and the threats they face, such as overfishing and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts, including genome sequencing at the Georgia Aquarium, aim to improve their survival chances.

What is one of the main causes of changing ocean conditions that affect marine life?

• Natural ocean currents

• Increased volcanic activity

• Rising greenhouse gases from human activities

• Decreased solar radiation

How long can whale sharks live, and at what age do they reach mating maturity?

• They live up to 200 years and mature at 40 years

• They live up to 50 years and mature at 10 years

• They live up to 150 years and mature at 30 years

• They live up to 100 years and mature at 20 years

What role do whale sharks play in the ocean ecosystem?

• They help regulate plankton levels

• They are top predators controlling fish populations

• They are reef builders

• They are scavengers cleaning the ocean floor

What is a significant threat to whale sharks in the Indian and Pacific Oceans?

• Natural predators

• Overfishing for their fins and meat

• Pollution from oil spills

• Competition with other large fish

What conservation effort is being made at the Georgia Aquarium to help whale sharks?

• Sequencing their genome for health studies

• Feeding them a special diet

• Breeding programs in captivity

• Releasing them into protected areas