It was the perfect setting - a warm, summer's day at one of Sydney's prettiest beaches. A huge crowd had turned out to watch our captive bred wobbegongs be released into the wild. Five, 6 year old, 1.2m sharks were fitted with accoustic tags and released into Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve - 3 from the shore and 2 from the Sydney Aquarium boat that was anchored 100 or so metres from the shore.

Despite a record and very enthusiastic crowd, the release went without a hitch. And the immense satisfaction of releasing an animal into the wild was felt by all.

The release forms part of a research project on how well captive bred wobbegongs do in the wild and the impact of their release on wild populations. So far, based on data collected from our first release, the news is good. Of the 10 wobbegongs released in mid-2008, consistent signals are being picked up from four. Not only are the wobbys doing well in the wild, but they seem to like their new home!

Click here to see some of the images from the day.

Image courtesy of Jayne Jenkins