A World First in Shark Conservation: Collecting Semen from Sharks in the Wild
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Scientists swab the cloaca of a wild leopard shark at North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane, Australia, in order to examine its recent diet
MVErdman
A team of scientists, conservationists, and veterinarians are embarking on a groundbreaking mission to preserve shark populations by collecting semen from wild sharks. This innovative approach aims to enhance breeding programs for endangered species and contribute to their conservation.
Between 7th and 14th December, a group of approximately 15 experts will conduct a unique operation to extract semen from male Indo-Pacific leopard sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) congregating near North Stradbroke Island, located off the coast of Brisbane, Australia. The collected semen will be utilized for artificial insemination procedures on female leopard sharks housed in aquariums across Australia and Singapore.