Whale Sharks Can Do Some-fin Amazing

We all know that sharks are amazing, but now they've got even more amazing with the discovery that Whale sharks can grow back partially amputated dorsal fins.

This astounding ability forms exciting research, published in the journal Conservation Physiology, showing that the world’s largest fish can recover from significant lacerations and abrasions in just a few weeks.

It's believed that this is the first time a shark has ever been scientifically reported showcasing this extraordinary phenomenon. Naturally, there is still an awful lot to discover about this regeneration and healing ability in Whale sharks, which can grow up to 18 metres in length, but it is hoped that this will help to protect them for our future.

Lead author Freya Womersley, a PhD student with the University of Southampton based at the Marine Biological Association, UK, said: "There is still a long way to go in understanding healing in whale sharks, and in shark species in general, but our team hope that baseline studies such as this one can provide crucial evidence for management decision makers that can be used to safeguard the future of whale sharks.”

It's fair to say though that none of the sharks from Jaws will be magically reforming after their explosive and fiery endings. It's probably too late for Chrissie Watkins as well.

Words Dean Newman

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