Leopard Shark Pups Released off Indonesia in August
Two zoo-born leopard sharks have been returned to the wild to help restore the endangered population.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Aquariums
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In late August 2026, two leopard shark pups, named Jelly and Bestie, were released into the waters off Kri Island, Indonesia. The sharks originated from eggs produced at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington.
Why it matters
The release is part of a collaborative international effort to bolster the endangered Indo-Pacific leopard shark population in the wild. This initiative focuses on raising zoo-born sharks to restore the species in their native ocean habitat.
Jelly and Bestie represent the 76th and 80th sharks released through the StAR Project and ReShark initiative. The pups are part of a broader effort involving eggs produced at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
The players
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
A Tacoma-based facility that focuses on wildlife conservation and education, including active participation in species recovery projects.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
A global authority that monitors biodiversity and maintains the official list of endangered species.
The details
Eggs produced in Tacoma are carefully transported to Indonesia for specialized hatching and rearing before their eventual release. To track their successful transition into the wild, Jelly was fitted with a fin-mounted SPOT tag, while Bestie received a MicroPAT tag designed to detach after approximately three months.
Timeline
Jelly and Bestie were released into the ocean in late August 2026.
The Home Front
This release marks the conclusion of the 2026 pup release season for the StAR Project, which aims to recover wild populations of the endangered Indo-Pacific leopard shark. The project demonstrates how international collaboration can help restore vulnerable species in their native ecosystems.
While you cannot keep these endangered sharks at home, you can support marine conservation by learning about the species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Research your local aquarium's involvement in international conservation programs to see how they contribute to global wildlife protection.
The takeaway
This successful release highlights the role of international collaboration in saving endangered species from extinction. Keep an eye on your local aquarium's conservation newsletters to track the long-term progress of sharks released through the ReShark initiative.
Further reading
For more on how modern facilities manage species recovery, visit the Aquariums section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMO.
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