Thailand releases endangered leopard shark

After a brief countdown by conservationists, a young Indo-Pacific leopard shark glided into the blue waters off Maiton Island in southern Thailand, released in the country's first efforts to "rewild" the endangered species.



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.



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.