Myanmar Mix

Fishermen in Ngwe Saung on Wednesday released an endangered whale shark back into the sea, with two of them choosing to ride the world’s biggest fish species after it got caught in their large net.

Footage shows young men trying to free the huge animal as it thrashes its tail to escape the net on Ngwe Saung Beach. When the whale shark manages to get away from the shore, one man climbs in front of its dorsal fan and stands up while another clings onto its back for a few seconds.

Scientists and conservationists discourage riding whale sharks, but alas the Internet has one more addition to its catalogue of people jumping onto the animal.

Comments under the video were more focused on the size of the fish—whale sharks can reach lengths of 40 feet (12.1m)—while some were concerned about its welfare.

“If someone sees this animal swimming near the shore, they would be in shock,” wrote one Facebook user. “It’s a beautiful beast.”

The filter feeders are known to be docile creatures, preferring warm waters and therefore populating tropical seas. Whale shark sightings occur this time of the year along an annual migratory route that passes the popular tourist town in Ayeyarwady region, as well as another tourist attraction, Ngapali Beach in Rakhine state.

They are a protected species under international and Myanmar law, as the meat is sold for food, the fins are sold to restaurants for shark fin soup, the skin is sold to manufacturers for bags, and the oil is sold to companies that make fish oil supplements.

Authorities are investigating the death of a whale shark that washed ashore on a beach in Myeik Archipelago last month.