2nd whale shark dies at Georgia Aquarium

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Today, Norton the whale shark died at the Georgia Aquarium.

Norton is the second whale shark to die at the Aquarium this year.

WABE's Charles Edwards reports

Norton's health had been on a downward spiral for months staring with irregular eating and swimming patterns.

The Aquarium's medical team was optimistic about their methods improving Norton's chance for survival.

However, this week Norton's health took another turn for the worse and officials were finally forced to euthanize the fish.

Ray Davis leads the Aquarium's zoological operations.

DAVIS: "We did some clinical diagnostic work that indicated his health was declining further did supportive therapy and then the blood work indicated that there was even further decline.

In January, Ralph, the Aquarium's other original male whale shark, died from abdominal inflammation.

A necropsy will determine Norton's cause of death and if it's related to Ralph's fatal condition.

Norton's death almost two weeks after the Aquarium received 2 new male whale sharks from Taiwan. Charles Edwards, WABE News.