Curt and Lucas Griffin Conduct Whale Shark Research on NBC’s ‘Wild Kingdom’
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Curt Griffin, a professor in the College of Natural Sciences’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the School of Earth and Sustainability, was recently featured in an episode of the NBC nature show Wild Kingdom alongside his son Lucas Griffin. Lucas, who earned his PhD and conducted postdoc work at the College of Natural Sciences, now serves as an assistant professor in the University of South Florida’s Department of Integrative Biology.
Wild Kingdom follows Curt and Lucas as they conduct research on whale sharks. This work was done in partnership with Rafael de la Parra of Ch'ooj Ajauil AC, an organization that seeks to “ensure a healthy and sustainable future for an area of marine biodiversity in the north of Quintana Roo,” a state on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. This area hosts the largest known annual aggregation of whale sharks during summer months and is considered one of the fastest-growing wild whale shark tourism hotspots.
Tourists’ fascination with this animal is understandable: the whale shark is the largest known extant fish species, with a maximum length of nearly 19 meters and a weight of up to 20 tons.
“Given their large size, docile behavior, and frequent surface feeding behaviors, whale sharks are extremely appealing for ecotourism that supports sustainable development and conservation of these charismatic, yet declining megafauna,” explained Curt. “The rapid growth of whale shark tourism increases concerns about potential adverse effects on whale sharks.”
Direct collisions between whale sharks and tour boats, as well as injuries evidenced by propeller scars, have been documented. In addition, both boat and swimmer presence can alter whale sharks’ behavior, which can lead to increased energy costs, missed foraging opportunities, and broader ecological consequences. In response to concerns about whale shark tourism, various stakeholders, including governments, communities, and NGOs, have implemented numerous measures to manage the industry.
“Stakeholder engagement is essential for balancing whale shark conservation with the rapidly growing ecotourism industry,” argues Lucas Griffin. “Our research aims to inform whale shark tour practices that lead to responsible tourism while supporting the local communities that depend on this industry. It’s amazing to see how whale sharks have become a symbol of conservation and intertwined with the region’s identity. By collaborating directly with whale shark expert Rafael de la Parra, we hope to develop strategies that minimize human impact and ensure the long-term conservation of these remarkable animals and the sustainability of whale shark ecotourism.”
Despite these measures, regulatory compliance remains a challenge globally. Common violations include approach-distance infractions and overcrowding of swimmers and boats near whale sharks. This study aims to assess the frequency of non-compliance by whale sharks tour boat operators and tourists in and around El Azul, an area considered the largest whale shark aggregation site in the world.
This research, which was conducted off the coast of Isla Mujeres, was born out of work that Curt started with his departmental colleague Dr. Andy Danlychuk back in 2016. A journal article around this past work was submitted and is now under review. Curt’s recent work with Lucas marks a new phase to this original project.
“I vividly recall being both in awe when seeing a whale shark aggregation and concerned about the impacts tourists may be having on them,” Andy Danylchuk expressed. “We need to find a way to live in harmony with these majestic sharks, and I’m stoked to see how our research in 2016 has begun to address this.”
“We are very excited about the new phase of our whale shark research that we started in August 2024, in partnership with Rafael. We used biologgers attached to the dorsal fin of sharks and aerial drones to measure how boats and swimmers may be changing whale shark behaviors,” explained Curt. “We believe that our research will help guide policymakers, conservationists, and stakeholders in promoting more sustainable and responsible whale shark tourism practices in the region.”
Footage Courtesy of Hearst Media Production Group / © 2025 Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.