Leopard sharks are classified as "vulnerable to extinction" outside of Australia, and there is little information about them in the wild beyond Australian waters. In Thailand, however, a collaboration between Thai and Australian researchers is aiming to change that.
The research team has developed a "Citizen Science Project", and will be using photos of the markings on these sharks to identify individuals. The date and location of the photos provide essential data to increase the collective knowledge and improve conservation strategies regarding these wonderful spotty creatures.
As a Citizen Science Project, the general diving and snorkelling community in Thailand play a massive role in the success of the program, as their contributions will form a very large chunk of the data base.
Being a relatively new project (started this August) not too many people are aware of it yet, so if you know any divers or snorkellers in, or bound for, Thailand, please let them know!
For more information check out:
"Spot The Leopard Shark: Thailand" on Facebook, or,
www.uq.edu.au/whale/spot-the-leopard-shark.
Special thanks to my mate Rosco for sending me this information, onya Roscatubo! And a special mention to Dave :D
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