Shedd Aquarium to rebuild endangered sharks population, sends zebra shark eggs to Indonesia

Shedd Aquarium has sent four zebra shark eggs to Raja Ampat, Indonesia, in what it called its first delivery to support a conservation effort for the endangered species. The Chicago nonprofit said in a press release that the eggs are part of the StAR Project, a zebra shark recovery effort run through ReShark. Shedd Aquarium confirmed the move is meant to help rebuild wild populations of the species.

The aquarium noted that the eggs were laid in its Wild Reef habitat and checked for health, viability, and genetic diversity before shipment. According to the announcement, staff used a process called candling, in which a light is held against the egg to monitor the embryo inside. Shedd said this step helps identify which eggs are suitable for the program.

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How the eggs will be raised

In Indonesia, the eggs are now being cared for by the StAR Indonesia aquarist team at the Raja Ampat Research and Conservation Centre nursery, per the press release. If the eggs hatch, the young sharks will be raised in managed conditions before moving to a sea pen to learn survival skills, according to Shedd Aquarium. Once they meet health and behavior standards, the sharks will be tagged and released into protected waters.

Shedd confirmed that the program in Indonesia has already released 75 zebra sharks into Raja Ampat waters. Anna Byczynski, a supervisor of the shark exhibit Wild Reef at Shedd Aquarium, stated in the press release, “This first shipment of eggs is a significant step for Shedd’s continued contributions to help save sharks globally.”

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Byczynski also added, per the announcement, “I look forward to following along on the journey of these eggs to potentially the ocean, and I hope as other people learn about the project that the passion and patience behind every small step towards a larger endeavor like this truly comes across.” Shedd said it plans to send more zebra shark eggs if it has fertile and genetically viable eggs available.

The aquarium noted that zebra sharks help keep reef ecosystems in balance by feeding on bottom-dwelling prey such as snails, clams, crabs, shrimp and small fish. The species is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.