Grey Nurse Shark baby born in Oceanworld Manly - 4 July 2006

IT'S A BOY! ENDANGERED GREY NURSE SHARK BORN AT OCEANWORLD MANLY!

A very rare and exciting occurrence by world standards has just happened at Oceanworld Manly ... Pallas, one of Oceanworld's Grey Nurse Sharks, has given birth to a healthy male pup, with both mother and pup doing extremely well.

Oceanworld Manly is 1of just 3 aquariums in the world to have a Grey Nurse Shark successfully born in captivity. This 2nd successful captive birth is a world first! Oceanworld prides itself on keeping its sharks and other marine life content in their surroundings and its obviously working!

Artemis, another female shark at the aquarium, recently celebrated her first-born, Maia’s, fourth birthday at the oceanarium. Maia is now enjoying the arrival of a new found friend!

The Curatorial team at Oceanworld have been monitoring the progress of the mother since the successful mating in early Spring. Because it is almost impossible to conduct such research in the wild, this has proven an invaluable opportunity for studying the reproductive habits of this endangered species.

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2006-07-04

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Tim Hochgrebe added 2006-08-05

Premature grey nurse shark baby dies

After initial signs that Oceanworld Manly’s rare Grey Nurse Shark pup was doing well, he unfortunately passed away late last night. The pup was estimated to be 8 weeks premature. Oceanworld staff were monitoring his progress around the clock with international shark experts and the aquarium’s vets both keeping a close eye on his progress. Sadly, whilst outwardly he looked like a healthy, robust little shark it is likely that his internal organs were not yet fully developed and he wasn’t ready for life outside his mother’s womb. The pup’s short life will assist Oceanworld’s captive breeding programs and give experts a greater understanding of the foetal development of this endangered species. Victoria Brims, Shark Expert at Oceanworld Manly said: “We are devastated by the death of our beautiful baby shark. While he was premature we were hopeful he would develop and become a part of our lives here at Oceanworld”. Oceanworld is one of just three aquariums in the world to successfully breed the endangered Grey Nurse shark in captivity, Maia, a female shark was born 4.5 years ago. Experts estimate that there are just 400 Grey Nurse Sharks remaining along the east coast of Australia. Oceanworld Manly is home to the Sydney Aquarium Conservation Foundation and is committed to a breeding program and raising public awareness about this amazing shark. Please contact 02 8251 7870 for more information.

Posted on Oceanworld Press page: Monday, July 10, 2006 http://www.oceanworld.com.au/press.asp

Tim Hochgrebe

http://www.underwater.com.au

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