Four tiny travelers just left Chicago on the most important journey of their lives. Shedd Aquarium has sent four zebra shark eggs to Raja Ampat, Indonesia, in the first delivery from the Chicago nonprofit to a global effort saving this endangered species.
Shedd is a founding partner of ReShark, whose StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery) uses conservation breeding to restore declining zebra shark populations. The eggs were laid in Chicago, in the shark habitat at Shedd’s Wild Reef, where the animal care team checked each one for health, viability and genetic diversity by candling: shining a light against the egg to watch the developing baby shark inside.
In Indonesia, the eggs are now in the hands of the StAR Indonesia aquarist team, fondly known as the shark nannies, at the RARCC nursery. Once they hatch, the pups will be raised under careful watch, then moved to a sea pen to practice foraging in a natural setting. When they reach the right size and pass their health checks, they will be tagged and released into the protected waters of Raja Ampat.
Shedd’s bond with the project runs deep: aquarium experts previously made the 9,000-mile trip to the nursery themselves to train and support the Indonesian team, and more eggs could follow in the future. Zebra sharks, listed as endangered by the IUCN, keep reef ecosystems in balance as bottom dwellers feeding on snails, clams, crabs and shrimp.
Happy City News loves watching Chicago science make waves around the world. From home, you can join Shedd’s Keep Shark Swimming petition and support better fishery management, climate solutions and habitat restoration.
Photo: Shedd Aquarium
