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Scientists lasso shark to remove hook from its mouth Scientists lasso shark to remove hook from its mouth
(2 months later)
Marine scientists have lassoed an angry shark and removed a large hook from its mouth off Byron Bay in Australia.Marine scientists have lassoed an angry shark and removed a large hook from its mouth off Byron Bay in Australia.
Serious concerns were held for the critically endangered grey nurse shark after it was spotted with a metre-long hook lodged in its mouth.Serious concerns were held for the critically endangered grey nurse shark after it was spotted with a metre-long hook lodged in its mouth.
The Sea World Research and Rescue team sent divers in to find the shark earlier this week.The Sea World Research and Rescue team sent divers in to find the shark earlier this week.
The team then threw a rope around its body and waited as the shark thrashed around before tiring itself so it could be brought to the surface.The team then threw a rope around its body and waited as the shark thrashed around before tiring itself so it could be brought to the surface.
Sea World Director of Marine Sciences Trevor Long says murky water and strong currents made the mission difficult.Sea World Director of Marine Sciences Trevor Long says murky water and strong currents made the mission difficult.
"And to top it off, the shark was also quite feisty, putting-up a real fight once it had been roped," he said."And to top it off, the shark was also quite feisty, putting-up a real fight once it had been roped," he said.
A large PVC pipe was inserted into its mouth.A large PVC pipe was inserted into its mouth.
The hook was lodged in jaw cartilage and took 25 minutes to remove.The hook was lodged in jaw cartilage and took 25 minutes to remove.
"With less than 1500 of the critically endangered Grey Nurse Sharks living along the east coast of Australia, every single animal is so important," Mr Long said."With less than 1500 of the critically endangered Grey Nurse Sharks living along the east coast of Australia, every single animal is so important," Mr Long said.
Grey nurse sharks have very low reproductive rates, only breeding about every three years, and giving birth to only one or two pups at a time.Grey nurse sharks have very low reproductive rates, only breeding about every three years, and giving birth to only one or two pups at a time.
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