The bad luck has been lifted.
The management of Nausicaa announced on Tuesday the birth of several litters of leopard sharks.
A nice long-term job of the females housed in the largest aquarium in Europe.
After the baby zebra sharks born earlier this year, the sad fate that had befallen the hammerhead sharks seems to be receding.
Between April and May 2021, 16 baby leopard sharks, 8 males and 8 females, were born in Nausicaa, Boulogne-sur-Mer, in Pas-de-Calais.
This was not really a surprise, since the young were born as part of a European conservation program for the species.
Moreover, the gestation of the females, which still lasts 12 months, was closely monitored by the caretakers.
An unprecedented event in an aquarium in Europe
For Nausicaa, this event has never been observed in another European aquarium.
"These births […] constitute a great opportunity for the Nausicaa teams of biologists to observe and study this species and the signs that can lead to its reproduction", welcomes the management.
At the start of the year, a pair of zebra sharks gave birth to four babies.
A chance for this species considered to be endangered in its natural environment.
The small sharks have also left Nausicaa to join aquariums that are partners of the conservation program.
Two good news in a few months allowing us to forget a little the disastrous fate of the baby hammerhead sharks.
In 2019, the attempt to raise around 30 babies of this species ended in their death.
Planet
World Conservation Congress: Sharks, rays, Komodo dragons ... Almost 30% of the species studied are threatened
Science
Sharks' "natural GPS" helps them find their way thanks to the Earth's magnetic field
Aquarium
Animals
Shark
Boulogne-sur-mer
Planet