GoPro Footage Shows What It's Like to Swim With Whale Sharks

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, growing up to 40 feet long (about the length of a school bus). Those of us who don't have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the mammals can thank biologist Ocean Ramsey and free diver Juan Oliphant for their footage above. In the clip, highlighted by Laughing Squid, the duo swim amongst the gentle giants and document their migration.

Unfortunately, the whale shark population is at an all-time low due to human-related obstacles like entanglement, speedboat prop collisions, and ocean litter. The large fish are also victim to finning, a form of fishing where the hunter cuts off the shark's fin and leaves the rest of the animal in the water to die slowly. If you would like to help the sharks, you can visit WaterInspired.org.

[h/t Laughing Squid]

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