ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Georgia Aquarium announced the passing of a whale shark that had been at the facility for nearly two decades.

Taroko, the aquarium’s male whale shark, was euthanized Wednesday night due to his declining health, officials said.

“Our team noticed changes in his appetite and behavior through wellness monitoring, and his overall condition was deteriorating despite all veterinary and care interventions,” the aquarium said on social media.

The aquarium said Taroko showed more than 43 million people “the majesty of his species” since he arrived in Atlanta in 2007 after being rescued from Taiwan.

“He also contributed a wealth of data and information about whale shark biology, health, and behavior,” the aquarium said.

A necropsy will be performed to dete

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