Aquarium releases last sharks back into wild

Published date24 May 2023
Publication titleNapier Courier, The
The two sharks released last week, a 2.2-metre broadnose sevengill shark and a 1.2-metre school shark, were the only sharks left at the aquarium in Napier after three others died following “the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle”

They were a school shark and two spiny dog fish.

A Napier City Council spokeswoman said the necropsy, an animal autopsy, on the sharks was inconclusive so it could not determine a specific cause of death.

The spokeswoman said generator power at the aquarium went on and off more than once during and after Cyclone Gabrielle, but no other animals died.

In a statement released last week, the council confirmed the released sharks were the aquarium’s last remaining sharks, and said the species are naturally occurring in Hawke Bay.

They are widespread throughout New Zealand waters.

The council statement said there are currently no plans to introduce new sharks into the Oceanarium at the aquarium.

Rachel Haydon, general manager at the aquarium, said the decision to release the sharks was due to recurring abrasions the sharks experienced to their noses (rostrums).

“We have had success where the abrasions heal, but unfortunately it ultimately happens again. The team has implemented a lot of strategies...

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