A stunning split-shot photograph captures a majestic whale shark swimming in crystal-clear tropical waters during the daytime. The top half of the image reveals the bright blue sky with a few wispy clouds, while the lower half showcases the gentle giant gliding just below the surface. Sunlight filters through the water, illuminating the shark’s distinctive pattern of white spots and stripes that contrast against its dark, massive body. These unique markings, similar to a fingerprint, help researchers identify individual whale sharks.

Despite their gentle nature and ecological importance, an estimated 200,000,000 sharks are killed each year due to illegal fishing and accidental bycatch. This image highlights both the beauty and vulnerability of the world’s largest fish as it moves gracefully through its ocean home.