CAPTIVE SHARK’S DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22999, 30 September 1936, Page 10

CAPTIVE SHARK’S DEATH

CAUSED BY SMALL FISH (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, Sept. 24. Attacked and blinded by small box fish in the Taronga Park Aquarium, Sydney, Skipper 11, the female grey nurse shark which had established a world record for length of time in captivity, died three weeks later The shark had almost completed four years in captivity. During that time it is estimated that she swam 35.000 miles, nearly one and a-half times round the equator. She grew from 10 feet to 11 feet 6 inches while in the aquarium pool. She was valued for exhibition purposes at carcass showed that both eyes had been so injured that it was doubtful if the shark was able to see which, officials believe, explains why Skipper could not keep swimming. It had been noticed that box fish immediately went for the eyes of dead kingfish thrown into the pool for the sharks. Skipper was famous, not only in Australia, but overseas. Americans being keenly interested. An article headed “Australia s Wonder Fish apoeared in one U.S.A. publication She was caught off Sydney Heads on November 14, 1932. In the aquarium she never stooped swimming until recently. Then officials knew that something serious was amiss. , , , When for days the shark lay on the bottom of the pool, it was found that the small box fish had attacked its eyes. The box fish were removed, but, though the shark swam a few yards at a time, she crept into a corner to die-