Swimming with the whale sharks

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Swimming with the whale sharks

Photos of a swim with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

The Georgia Aquarium offers a guided swim with the fishes and whale sharks. The program is called, "Journey with Gentle Giants."

In addition to whale sharks, the tank features several other shark species, manta rays, fish, including this Bowmouth guitarfish.

The aquarium allows a limited number of swimmers into the waters of its largest tank for an up-close experience with ocean life. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Swimmers and divers are instructed to stay five feet from the animals. But the fish don't always follow that rule.

AJC reporter Jamie Gumbrecht puts on her oxygen tank before heading into the water. In addition to the swim, it takes two hours to shimmy in and out of a wet suit, shower out the salt and watch a video of the experience.

Critics says it can be risky to expose the animals to new humans every day. However, aquarium spokeswoman Meghann Gibbons says there have been no issues yet, and the swims and dives would end if they did.

Gumbrecht prepares to dive into the 6.3-million gallon Ocean Voyager exhibit.

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The Georgia Aquarium offers a guided swim with the fishes and whale sharks. The program is called, "Journey with Gentle Giants."

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