Characteristics of external injuries of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus, Smith 1828) in Botubarani waters, Gorontalo, Indonesia

Whale sharks ( Rhincodon typus ) are endangered fish with population numbers continuing to decline globally. Botubarani waters, Gorontalo is an aggregation area for whale sharks in Tomini Bay. The high number of tourist visits has created a persistent risk of injury of the whale sharks in the studied area. This research attempts to provide preliminary information regarding the external injury characteristics of Botubarani whale sharks in a descriptive manner, as well as photographic records of the development and rate of natural wound healing in cases of whale sharks suspected of having papilloma disease. Routine data collection during 2019–2023 using the Photographic Identification (Photo-ID) method accompanied by documentation of various types, positions, and severity of wounds on each individual have been carried out to determine the impact of tourism activities as ongoing efforts to protect and preserve whale sharks in Botubarani. The results revealed that 74% (n = 43) of the observed whale sharks had wounds characterized by abrasion nicks and lacerations, mainly located on the dorsal fin, mouth, and head. Although the 88% severity level was a minor injury, the high percentage of abrasion injuries (59.68%) indicated the high impact of friction on the bodies of whale sharks with tourists’ boats during feeding. Routine monitoring for 7 months on the papilloma disease case at the Botubarani whale shark tourism site also showed that the healing process of non-anthropogenic wounds due to disease took longer than anthropogenic wounds. It also showed that the papilloma wound had not shown any signs of complete recovery. This research serves as a reference and consideration for Botubarani whale shark tourism managers to reduce the possibility of injury from tourism by creating guidelines for whale shark interactions and restricting tourism vessels from entering the Botubarani whale shark interaction zone. Further, the implementation of baiting techniques is needed to reduce the probability of injury to this endangered species in the future.