A shark’s tale
A scared and anxious whale shark has been rescued after getting lost in Dubai Creek.
The three-metre-long juvenile was saved by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai Police and the Marine Environment Protection Association. The ministry sent a team of divers after receiving reports that a whale shark had strayed into the Creek.
The rescue was made more difficult by the shark’s state of fear and anxiety. Divers split up into three groups for the rescue operation, which took five hours. They moved the shark on to a stretcher that extended below the water between two boats and slowly moved it back into the Arabian Gulf.
“I thank everyone who was involved in the rescue operation,” said Hiba Al Shehhi, acting Director of the Biodiversity Department at the ministry.
“The collaboration among the teams was exemplary and saved the scared baby shark.”
Lt Col Rashid Al Ayel, head of maritime security at the Port Police Station, oversaw the operation. He praised the rescuers.
“Transporting the juvenile whale shark across a distance of 13 kilometres from Dubai Creek to the Arabian Gulf was a highly delicate and strenuous process, and everyone involved was incredibly patient,” Lt Col Al Ayel said.
“Seeing the shark safely back in its natural habitat was worth all the trouble.”
Last year, a four-metre-long whale shark was seen near Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. Marine wildlife experts believed it was attracted by the bright lights of the city.
“Whale sharks are found in the Arabian Gulf and it is not rare to spot one near the city,” Dr David Robinson, who runs the website sharkwatcharabia.com, said last year. Whale sharks are harmless to humans, Dr Robinson said.