topic Re: Amazing Shark Rescue in Community Spirit

Amazing Shark Rescue

not.a.sock.puppet — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:52:48 GMT

In water teeming with life one creature was slowly dying...

http://au.search.yahoo.com/search?_from=R40&p=shark+rescue&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8

Experts had to manhandle the shark to the surface to perform the tricky operation.

And if you're wondering how to wrestle a shark, the answer is ... very carefully.

Local divers spotted a young female grey nurse shark tangled in an elastic cord which was cutting into its gills.

Her laboured breathing was a sign of distress triggering a daring rescue just off Sydney in a place called Magic Point, which is a crucial shark habitat.

The challenge for a team of divers and a vet from the SeaLife sanctuary and aquarium was to save the shark.

The team have to get the shark to the surface and coax it into a plastic shark sock, clear so the shark will not see it as an obstacle.

The shark is then wrapped in a special stretcher and that's where these professionals have to get a little hands-on.

But the quick underwater wrestle does the job and the injured shark is taken up to waiting vet Rob Jones; the water's surface is his operating table and there is not much time.

Three divers hold her steady. A pair of scissors later and she is freed from her noose. A quick shot of antibiotics and the patient is free to go home.

Mr Jones said: “if we hadn't intervened it would have died, the elastic would have kept cutting deeper and deeper into the neck.”

Despite those pretty fierce looking teeth the grey nurse shark is actually very placid and they call it the labrador of the sea. But they are also critically endangered and there are thought to be only around 1500 of them left off our coast.

They are being killed by beach nets, fishing and pollution, with the population slow to recover.

Re: Amazing Shark Rescue

crystal-gems — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 03:10:29 GMT

Thank goodness they were able to save her life.

And thank goodness the rescuers were professional and knew what they were doing.

I too am very concerned about the future of our marine life.

Re: Amazing Shark Rescue

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 03:21:27 GMT

Poor shark. I hope that cord wasn't put there deliberately

(edit: I can spell, I just can't type)

Re: Amazing Shark Rescue

lind9650 — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 03:25:12 GMT

Any diver will forever recognise this shark. The wound will heal, but leave a considerable scar.

I too am glad they could save this beautiful creature. I assume they tagged the shark and follow its progress.

Erica

Re: Amazing Shark Rescue

not.a.sock.puppet — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 05:41:33 GMT

Re: Amazing Shark Rescue

lakeland27 — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 05:48:56 GMT

Sock, you are the best friend a fish could have.

Re: Amazing Shark Rescue

not.a.sock.puppet — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 06:15:37 GMT

what I like about fish, they don't talk back, mate, ay.