Video uploaded by Conservation International of a marine scientist swimming with the world's largest sharks in Indonesia has gone viral gaining nearly half a million views since it was first uploaded onto social media on August 30.

The video was made in October 2014 while Dr. Mark Erdmann was on a research trip.

Erdmann was leading a group of people on board the Australian Expedition Vessel True North.

It was three-day trip that focused on interaction between whale sharks.

One day during the trip Erdman and his father were fortunate enough to come across a set of 15 whale sharks swimming nearby so they decided to join them.

Whale sharks can grow to 18 metres (59 feet) in length and weighing 21 tonnes (42,000 pounds).

Kevin Connor from Conservation International told Reuters that this species was a filter-feeder and friendly to humans, making it very appealing to scuba divers.

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