When the grey nurse shark was found by two divers in Australia, he had a 4ft gaff - a hooked pole used to haul big fish on to boats - wedged in his mouth.
One of the divers, John Natoli, said: 'Although it did not appear to be suffering in any way, it was obvious it wouldn't be able to hunt and eat and would die.With the greatest care (as grey nurse sharks can still bite and thrash when under duress), the divers managed to lasso it and then herd it into a clear plastic tunnel, specially designed for catching injured sea creatures.
One of the divers, John Natoli, said: 'Although it did not appear to be suffering in any way, it was obvious it wouldn't be able to hunt and eat and would die.With the greatest care (as grey nurse sharks can still bite and thrash when under duress), the divers managed to lasso it and then herd it into a clear plastic tunnel, specially designed for catching injured sea creatures.
Injected with a drug to calm it, the shark was moved into a tank where a vet and divers were able to manoeuvre the hooked end of the gaff from its throat without causing any injury.
'It was a delicate job but a job well done,' said Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald.
'It was a delicate job but a job well done,' said Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald.
Before it was released back into the Pacific Ocean, the shark was fitted with an electronic tag so that its movements and recovery can be monitored by scientists
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