The species received legal protection in 2001 under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, but laws proved insufficient. The Wildlife Trust of India has supported campaigns and community efforts, showing how cultural beliefs can drive conservation more effectively than legislation alone.

Credits: Pexels; Author: @siby_cd;

A spiritual narrative promoted by religious leaders helped reframe whale sharks as valued and protected animals. The sharks were previously killed for oil and other products, with hundreds hunted annually before protections were introduced. Conservation efforts focused on changing attitudes among fishing communities rather than relying solely on regulation, and fishers began releasing whale sharks caught accidentally, even at personal financial loss.