{"id":39767,"date":"2024-07-05T12:08:07","date_gmt":"2024-07-05T10:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/c6040d12-3e9b-4034-924e-838654455911"},"modified":"2024-07-05T15:27:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-05T13:27:33","slug":"i-was-able-to-watch-a-live-screen-view-of-their-beating-heart-watch-the-worlds-largest-fish-get-a-health-check","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/i-was-able-to-watch-a-live-screen-view-of-their-beating-heart-watch-the-worlds-largest-fish-get-a-health-check\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI was able to watch a live screen view of their beating heart.” Watch the world’s largest fish get a health check"},"content":{"rendered":"

Researchers have used ultrasound to monitor the health of free-swimming whale sharks in Australia. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Friday, 05 July 2024 at 10:08 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Scientists in Australia have used ultrasounds to monitor the health of free-swimming whale sharks<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>

The researchers from the\u00a0 Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/a>\u00a0(AIMS) collaborated with several organisations to develop the technique. They used the hand-held ultrasound to scan a dozen whale sharks, giving them a health check.\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cI was able to watch a live screen view of their beating heart while holding my breath underwater,\u201d says AIMS\u2019 senior field technician Kim Brooks.<\/p>

Video: whale shark health check<\/h2>
Dive in: whale shark scientists drop into the sea to begin their research. Credit: Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Out of water: the researchers analyse their findings back on dry land. Credit: Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Gallery: whale shark health check<\/h2>
Dr Mark Meekan and Kim Brooks work in tandem to collect copepods from the mouth of the whale shark, which places the fish in a good position for a liver ultrasound.<\/p>
Credit: Andre Rerekura, Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
$\"Whale$
Credit: Andre Rerekura, Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
$\"Whale$
Credit: Andre Rerekura, Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
$\"Whale$
Credit: Andre Rerekura, Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
$\"Whale$
Credit: Andre Rerekura, Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
$\"Whale$
Credit: Andre Rerekura, Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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Gallery: whale shark health check<\/h2>Dr Mark Meekan and Kim Brooks work in tandem to collect copepods from the mouth of the whale shark, which places the fish in a good position for a liver ultrasound.<\/p>