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Haifa Beaches Close for Rare Whale Shark Sighting

11/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Haifa beaches closed Friday after a sighting of a rare whale shark, the largest fish, with reopening planned Saturday at 8:00 a.m. local time.
The whale shark can reach 45 feet and weigh over 20 tons, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Endangered.
Recent sightings have prompted beach closures across Israel, including Gaza’s coast, and a leucistic Iberian lynx was spotted in Spain.

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Story summary

Haifa beaches closed Friday after a sighting of a rare whale shark, the largest fish, with reopening planned Saturday at 8:00 a.m. local time.
The whale shark can reach 45 feet and weigh over 20 tons, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Endangered.
Recent sightings have prompted beach closures across Israel, including Gaza’s coast, and a leucistic Iberian lynx was spotted in Spain.