Shedd Aquarium Sends Shark Eggs to Bolster Wild Populations

Shedd Aquarium has sent four zebra shark eggs to contribute to a conservation effort for the endangered species, marking a first delivery from the Chicago nonprofit to Raja Ampat, Indonesia. As a founding partner of ReShark, Shedd Aquarium has long contributed expertise to the StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery) – ReShark’s pioneering zebra shark, or Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark, recovery initiative. The StAR Project uses conservation breeding and translocations to help restore declining populations across parts of the species range. Local teams will manage and care for the eggs, which will hopefully continue to develop and hatch at the Raja Ampat Research and Conservation Centre (RARCC).

The zebra shark eggs were laid in the shark habitat in Wild Reef at Shedd. The aquarium's animal care team assessed the eggs for health, viability and genetic diversity through a process called candling when a light is shown against the egg to see inside the casing to monitor the development of the embryo or developing baby shark.

Now, in Raja Ampat, the eggs are cared for by the StAR Indonesia aquarist team (fondly known as "shark nannies") at the RARCC nursery, a facility designed for rearing eggs and young juvenile sharks. Once the eggs hopefully successfully hatch, the pups will be raised under carefully managed conditions before transitioning to a sea pen, where the animals acclimate to the natural marine environment and develop important foraging skills. Once the sharks reach an appropriate size and meet health and behavioral criteria for release, the animals are tagged and released into the protected waters of Raja Ampat. Robust monitoring helps track the sharks' movements, survival and adaptation to life in the ocean, while contributing to a greater understanding of the species. To date, StAR Indonesia has released 75 zebra sharks into Raja Ampat waters.

Shedd previously sent shark experts on the 9,000-mile journey to the RARCC nursery in Indonesia to support the StAR Project team. During the time there, the aquarium’s team was able to share skills and support staff who are raising pups for release. Shedd Aquarium plans to continue to send zebra shark eggs to the nurseries, if there are additional fertile and genetically viable options.

Healthy populations of zebra sharks are essential to maintain thriving ecosystems. Unlike some other shark species, zebra sharks don’t have to swim to breathe and tend to rest on the reef floors. They regulate bottom-dwelling prey, feeding on snails, clams, crabs, shrimp and small fishes. While adults are spotted, the pups start life with zebra-like dark and light bands on their long tails, making them look like venomous sea snakes to predators. Zebra sharks are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with several populations across the globe at risk of extinction.

Right now, people can join Shedd to speak up for sharks by signing on to the aquarium’s Keep Shark Swimming petition. Shedd guests, community members and shark lovers alike can show their support for governments and fisheries to make positive changes for sharks such as fishery management, climate solutions and habitat restoration.

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Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Rachel Mittelstaedt

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