What is the current classification for the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) on the IUCN Red List?
Answer
Endangered
The whale shark species faces substantial challenges in the modern oceanic environment, resulting in a serious conservation status. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently classifies *Rhincodon typus* as Endangered. This classification indicates a worrying trend of global population decline, largely driven by direct anthropogenic pressures such as incidental capture and physical harm from human activities like vessel traffic.
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