After a short countdown by conservationists, a young Indo-Pacific leopard shark was released into the blue waters off Maiton Island in southern Thailand. This is part of the country’s first efforts to restore the endangered species.
Spotted sharks used to be common for snorkellers and divers to see. But their numbers have gone down in the wild over the last ten years because of overfishing and the loss of their homes.
The latest release in December included the sharks Maiton, Hope, Spot and Toty, each nearly two years old. They were among seven pups released so far, after being bred in an aquarium for about a year.
All spent months being taught behaviours they will need in the wild. Two days before the four pups were released in December, marine veterinarians conducted final health checks to ensure they were fit to be returned to the sea.
