Both Bull Sharks have died due to trauma-related injuries - reported on their FB page.
Sydney Zoo Sydney Zoo's Bull Sharks have died
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
- Start date
The full post for anyone interested:
Sydney Zoo is deeply saddened to confirm the recent loss of two bull sharks in our aquarium.
Extensive investigations by our animal care and veterinary staff, with support from external specialists, included comprehensive necropsies. These examinations found trauma consistent with accidental impact. While the precise cause cannot be definitively confirmed, preliminary findings suggest a combination of environmental and biological factors may have played a role in this isolated incident.
All other marine species in the habitat are currently healthy and under close observation. The wellbeing of our animals remains our highest priority.
It’s good to see that Sydney Zoo is being transparent with the deaths, not necessarily something common in the zoo community!
Very unfortunate. Apparently their high energy levels make them a challenge to keep in captivity.
The zoo believes it’s an isolated incident however:
These examinations found trauma consistent with accidental impact. While the precise cause cannot be definitively confirmed, preliminary findings suggest a combination of environmental and biological factors may have played a role in this isolated incident.
Oh no! and both of them too, damn that's really sad, poor things. Really does sound like most sharks especially larger ones are extremely hard to keep long term in captive holding (grey nurse sharks seem to be one of the few exceptions some of the time with the larger captive-held shark species hey). They were two very impressive looking bull sharks too.
How long had they had them?
The sharks went on in display in November 2020, 11 months after the zoo opened in December 2019.
6.1K views · 339 reactions | The bullshark dives into Sydney Zoo's Aquarium | It's the news you've all been waiting for! Put your fins together for the bull shark that's dived in our Aquarium! | By Sydney Zoo | Facebook
Shame to hear about the loss of both Bull Sharks. The problems often associated with keeping them in captivity surround their overall temperament and aggressiveness. Due to this, it's very difficult to keep them in captivity - especially in mixed species combinations. Keeping multiple individuals together too is also incredibly difficult as they're
I applaud Sydney for a finding a way to manage both their sharks in a mixed species environment over this long period of time - four and a half years is admirable! Hopefully Sydney acquires some more eventually - does anyone know where these two came from?
I only saw two when I visited with @steveroberts and @Abbey in November 2024; but that’s not to say they didn’t have three Bull shark prior.
Collected from the wild would be the only answer. SeaWorld Gold Coast maintained an adult female for decades successfully in a large mixed display.
ElephasMaximus
Well-Known Member
If Sydney doesn't want to try again with Bull Sharks, importing Sand Tiger sharks might be a good alternative. They'd have similar care needs to Bull Sharks and would have a similar appeal to customers, but are much easier to keep in captivity. I don't know if it's currently legal to import them into Australia, but if it is they could source some from as nearby as Kelly Tarlton's.
SEA LIFE Sydney could be their best bet for sourcing Sand tiger sharks. They bred the species as recently as November 2024 and now have six (including the new male pup). They have three adult males (Murdoch, Trio and Napoleon), so they could be willing to transfer one out once it’s established which one sired the new pup (either retaining the male who’s most likely to sire subsequent offspring; or conversely, removing the male now represented through his offspring).
https://www.visitsealife.com/sydney...-life-sydney-aquarium/library/media/511709675
Osedax
Well-Known Member
The only problem with that idea is that the former Bull Shark tank at Sydney Zoo is fresh water.
The Bull sharks were the stars of the show, so I guess they’ll need to make a decision whether to keep it freshwater and source more; or change to saltwater (a significantly greater investment). Due to the fact the zoo have stated it was an isolated incident and Bull sharks are easier to source, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them acquire more.
I can't see them having an issue getting new bull sharks, they are not a protected species and are freely fished from all of Sydneys waterways.
It would be interesting to see what caused the trauma.
Seaworld maintained an adult female for years in a salt system. These were young, and im not sure for how long adults stay in complete fresh water before moving out to the salt.
It would be interesting to see what caused the trauma.
Seaworld maintained an adult female for years in a salt system. These were young, and im not sure for how long adults stay in complete fresh water before moving out to the salt.
Most sources say their tolerance for high salinity environments increases with age and young sharks (born in freshwater) head out to sea by reproductive age to breed; with the females then returning to the freshwater streams to give birth. It’s believed this is a reproductive strategy to enhance survival of the offspring.
Osedax
Well-Known Member
I think (as most of the other fish species in that tank - Barramundi, Silver Batfish, Milkfish, Yelloweye Mullet, Milkfish, Australian Bass etc. - can tolerate both fresh and salt water) the plan may have been to have it as freshwater when the sharks were still young, then change it to saltwater later on as they became adults.
There is a good chance they could be replaced within the next year.
