In a groundbreaking moment for conservation, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has successfully produced seven viable zebra shark (Indo-Pacific leopard shark) eggs that are now headed to the wild. These eggs represent a significant step forward in a global effort to save an endangered species and restore ocean ecosystems.

Laid by Peanut, one of the zoo and aquarium’s female zebra sharks, and fertilized by Butter, the embryos are heterozygous, meaning they carry the vital genetic diversity needed to support the long-term survival of wild populations. Unlike embryos produced through parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction), these embryos result from natural mating, making them significantly more valuable for species recovery and rewilding efforts.

This achievement is part of the StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery Project), powered by ReShark, a global coalition of more than 100 aquariums, NGOs, governments, and academic institutions working to breed sharks in human care and return their eggs to native waters to rebuild wild populations. So far, dozens of sharks have been rewilded thanks to the StAR project.

“It’s incredible to know that pups from our adult sharks right here in Tacoma may one day swim wild in the reefs of Indonesia,” said Chris Spaulding, Aquarium Curator at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. “This is conservation in action, and a powerful example of how zoos and aquariums can make a real difference for ocean species on the brink.”

From Tacoma to Raja Ampat

After undergoing ultrasounds and egg candling to confirm viability, the eggs were carefully transferred to the Seattle Aquarium, the United States staging hub for ReShark. There, they will prepare for their long trans-Pacific journey to Raja Ampat, Indonesia, one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet.

Once in Indonesia, the eggs will be placed in a nursery, moving from tanks to a sea pen after they hatch and fed live, local snails and clams. The goal: raise sharks that are wild and not conditioned to human interaction.

Cared for by local “shark nannies,” the pups will hatch and grow until strong enough to be released into a marine sanctuary, where they’ll live freely. Each shark will be tagged and tracked using acoustic telemetry to study their survival and behavior in the wild.

Zebra sharks play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems but have vanished from much of their range due to overfishing and habitat loss. The species remains listed as Endangered on the 2024 IUCN Red List, underscoring the urgent need for conservation.

See Conservation in Action

When Point Defiance & Aquarium reopened the renovated Tropical Reef Aquarium in 2024, we expanded our zebra shark population from one to three to directly support this conservation program. “Peanut and Butter were selected and paired intentionally to help boost the species’ genetic diversity—a decision that’s now yielding results,” said Spaulding.

Guests can see Peanut and Butter in the Tropical Reef Aquarium, a living example of modern, collaborative conservation. You can even book an Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive to see them up close, underwater, and learn more about their species-saving journey.

And across the ocean, in the pristine waters of Raja Ampat, the next generation of zebra sharks is already on its way, with seven tiny, hopeful eggs from right here in Tacoma.