Taroko had lived at the aquarium for nearly two decades, where more than 43 million visitors had the chance to see him up close. Aquarium officials say he was origin

The Georgia Aquarium on Thursday announced the loss of Taroko, a whale shark that had lived at the facility since 2007. “Taroko showed more than 43 million people the majesty of his species over the nearly two decades he lived here,” reads the aquarium’s Facebook post.

Taroko, a male whale shark residing at the Georgia Aquarium since 2007, has died. The Georgia Aquarium said in an announcement that its overall condition was deteriorating despite veterinary care, and the decision was made to euthanize.