There are plenty of reasons to hate on animal selfies these days.

Along with the obvious risks in snapping photos with bears and bison, the practice can be devastating for wildlife. Earlier this year, National Geographic investigated the so-called “selfie trade" in South America, in which wild animals are captured and forced to take pictures with tourists looking for the perfect profile picture.

But there’s one very specific situation in which tourist photos may actually be helping wild animals: Increasing our knowledge of whale sharks, which were recently deemed endangered. (Read how whale sharks are disappearing, and fast.)

Though the 40-foot behemoths are the largest fish on Earth, scientists still know little about them—in part because