Ralph, The Whale Shark, Dies

Another star attraction at the Georgia Aquarium is dead.

Ralph the whale shark stopped swimming early Thursday afternoon. Eight hours later, as veterinarians worked over the 22-foot-long fish, he abruptly died. Aquarium officials said they don't know why.

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It is the second death of a star attraction at the aquarium in less than two weeks. Gasper, a beluga whale whose bubble-blowing antics and underwater acrobatics charmed thousands, was euthanized Jan. 2. He suffered from a bone disease contracted before coming to the aquarium in 2005.

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Ralph came from Taiwan in June 2005 as one of the star attractions at the aquarium, which opened in November that year. Norton, another male whale shark, came with him. Alice and Trixie, female whale sharks, soon joined the males in the sprawling exhibit. Aquarium officials hope the females will bear pups – baby whale sharks.

Rest In Peace, Ralph.