A marine biologist from Australia has documented a globally unique event: two male leopard sharks mated in quick succession with a female off the coast of New Caledonia. It is the first scientifically confirmed observation of this behavior.
Importance for species conservation
Hugo Lassauce from the University of the Sunshine Coast accompanied the sharks for several weeks when he filmed the rare mating behavior. The footage suggests that the region could be an important breeding ground for the endangered species.
Lassauce is part of the international ReShark collective, which is working on a reintroduction program for leopard sharks in Southeast Asia. There, the species is considered nearly extinct, while in Australia it still has relatively stable populations.
Insights into shark behavior
“We had previously only observed courtship behavior, but on this day the males suddenly grabbed the female’s fin – and the mating began,” said Lassauce. For him and his team, it was clear that this observation is of great importance for both science and species conservation.
His colleague Christine Dudgeon emphasized that knowledge about the reproduction, migrations, and behavior of the animals is crucial for developing successful conservation programs. In addition to overfishing, the use of their skin for luxury yacht interiors also poses a threat to the species.
Distribution and Threats
Leopard sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) live in coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific islands. While they are still common in Australia, they are considered highly endangered in other parts of Asia. The newly documented mating provides important insights for the protection and reintroduction of this fascinating shark species.
