Sunday 20 July 2008

North Coast shark rescue


Sharks get such bad press generally, so it was nice to see a Grey Nurse Shark rescue receive world-wide coverage this week.
A big well done to all those involved.


Divers near Byron Bay, 500 miles (800km) north of Sydney, attempt to capture a grey nurse shark, above, that has a grappling hook lodged in its digestive tract, leaving a metal handle sticking from its mouth.
After it was captured and placed in a holding tank, rescuers pushed a plastic pipe into its throat and the veterinary surgeon David Blyde reached between the jaws of the 10ft shark, through the pipe, to free the hook.
“As a veterinarian you often end up putting your hands in places that people find somewhat unattractive,” Dr Blyde said.
The grey nurse shark is not considered a threat to humans but its bite could do serious damage. It is one of Australia’s most endangered marine species after being fished to near-extinction.

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