Fermin the Whale Shark
The male whale shark "Fermin" feeds at a non-motorized boat in the Tan-awan feeding area in Oslob, the Philippines before his injury. Like other sharks who feed there regularly, Fermin sports calluses around his mouth from repeatedly bumping the boat.
Fermin Pre-Injury
A view from above of the whale shark Fermin shows the calluses caused by bumping against boats from which fishermen drop shrimp meals.
Propeller Scar
Between July 17 and July 19, Fermin encountered a motorized boat and came away with deep propeller cuts to his face. The placement of the cuts suggests he approached the boat in search of food.
11 Gashes
An encounter with a motorized boat left the male whale shark Fermin with 11 gashes across his face.
Fermin's Scars
The whale shark "Fermin" sports slashes from a run-in with a boat propeller. One cut runs across his left eye.
Fermin's Face
Fermin, before being injured by a boat propeller. The whale shark is a daily visitor to the Tan-awan whale shark feeding area, an ecotourism effort in Oslob in the Philippines.
Fermin's Full Length
Fermin is young and small for a whale shark, about 13 feet (4 meters) in length. Marine biologists are not yet sure whether his left eye will recover from his injury.
