The Two Oceans Aquarium team is celebrating the successful release of the special resident ragged-tooth shark Gen into her home in Struisbaai.
Picture: Sourced
The release was a special moment for the team that cared for Gen during her time at the aquarium and a step towards the future conservation of ragged-tooth sharks.
The preparation leading up to Gen’s release was extensive, as she was removed from the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit and temporarily placed in separate housing.
Picture: Justin Blake
This was done so that veterinarian Dr. Ilse Jenkinson would be able to closely monitor Gen’s health for a period before the release. This included regular health checks and monitoring of blood and vital signs.
The morning of the release, Gen was moved into a secure chamber on a large truck for transport by road to Struisbaai.
On her journey, she was accompanied by the dedicated Curatorial staff members to ensure a calm and safe return to her wild home.
The team walked Gen into the surf at Struisbaai on a specially designed stretcher, where they say she immediately showed signs of readiness to enter the ocean.
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The aquarium frequently releases ragged-tooth sharks in this area as a portion of the existing wild population migrates along the Agulhas ridge off the coast of Struisbaai towards the warmer waters of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium
Watch video here.
‘In her time at the Two Oceans Aquarium, while playing an important role as an awareness-raising ambassador, Gen grew into a large adult weighing 209kg and measuring 286cm in length. She is now sexually mature, so we would like her to have the opportunity to reproduce and contribute to the wild population,’ said Dr Jenkinson.
Like many other marine species in the Aquarium’s care, ragged-tooth sharks are only kept at the Aquarium for a short time before being returned to the wild.
‘Catch and release is a central component of the ragged-tooth shark conservation programme at the Two Oceans Aquarium. The reason for including them in our exhibits is to be an ambassador species for sharks, educating our visitors on the wonder of what is under the ocean. The message these sharks deliver is not to fear them but to be in awe and wonder of these complex animals,’ Dr Jenkinson explained.
The ragged-tooth shark was fitted with a tag to track her movements along the coast.
Article originally published by Cape Town ETC.
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