Endangered leopard sharks return to Thai waters in landmark rewilding push

Once a familiar sight for snorkellers and divers, the spotted sharks have sharply declined in the wild over the past decade due to overfishing and habitat loss, even as they flourished in private aquariums.

“Why not take the breeding population that is doing well in the aquariums and release them back into the wild so that the wild population can recover?” said Metavee Chuangcharoendee, project manager of the StAR Project Thailand, a partnership launched last year between the government, NGOs and aquariums.

The latest release in December included the sharks Maiton, Hope, Spot and Toty, each nearly two years old.

They were among seven pups released so far, after being bred and raised in an aquarium for about a year.

All spent months being taught behaviours they will need in the wild, including in the sea pen off the pier at Maiton Resort, where they adjust to natural conditions.