The World’s First Rewilded Sharks Are Thriving
The World’s First Rewilded Sharks Are Thriving This article was originally published by Mongabay , an independent media organization reporting on nature and planetary challenges. I n the shallows of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, a bold conservation experiment is underway — one that blends marine biology, local stewardship and international collaboration in an effort to bring a species back from the brink. It’s called ReShark, and it represents the world’s first attempt to rewild an endangered shark. Working alongside the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, Conservation International, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and 105 partner institutions across 20 countries, the Re:wild-led initiative aims to restore populations of the Indo-Pacific leopard shark — also known as the zebra shark ( Stegostoma tigrinum ) — to reefs where the species has all but disappeared. “This is something that’s been done for decades on land — think California condors or wolves in Yellowstone,” said Mark Erdmann, Executive Dir…
