Scientists Capture First Wild Leopard Shark Mating With Two Males Taking Turns

The recording points to a likely mating hotspot near Noumea with direct implications for conservation.

Overview

UniSC marine biologist Hugo Lassauce filmed the event at Abore Reef, about 15 km off Noumea, during a year-long monitoring program.
The female mated sequentially with two males, with copulations lasting 63 seconds and 47 seconds.
After mating, the males lay immobile on the seafloor while the female swam away, and wounds were visible on her pectoral fins.
The findings, detailing the first documented wild observation for this species, have been published in the Journal of Ethology.
Researchers say the site likely serves as a critical mating habitat for the IUCN-listed endangered species, guiding genetic studies, management and potential artificial insemination efforts.