Anger over pair who filmed themselves 'surfing' whale shark
Footage shows two men attempting to ride the protected creature, standing on its back as it follows their boat
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Your support makes all the difference.A video showing two men 'surfing' on the back of a whale shark has provoked outrage online.
The footage shows two men standing on the back of the whale shark while being pulled along by a rope attached to a boat. They apparently taunt the whale shark as it continues to follow the boat.
It is unclear where the film was taken.
A tweet from the London-based marine wildlife charity Marine Conservation called the incident "unacceptable".
Whale sharks are a protected species. They are found in warm tropical waters and can grow up to 12 metres in length. They feed on plankton and small fish.
![The film shows a man attempting to 'surf' on the back of a whale shark [Youtube]](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/06/21/09/whale-shark-1.jpg)
Whale sharks are docile creatures and it is not uncommon for swimmers to be able to ride on their backs.
The men's antics have nonetheless been sharply criticised online.
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