JAKARTA: The critically endangered Ganges shark (Glyphis gangeticus), one of the world’s rarest freshwater shark species, has been found in Indonesia’s North Kalimantan province, raising hopes for global conservation efforts.
The discovery in the Sesayap River in Tana Tidung regency was announced by a research team from Hasanuddin University, James Cook University and Universitas Borneo Tarakan following collaborative studies conducted in the area.
Hasanuddin University representative Prof Rohani Ambo Rappe described the finding as significant not only for species conservation but also for strengthening collaborative conservation efforts involving local communities.
"This finding is not only about saving one rare species, but also about how we build a conservation model that is fair, collaborative, and acceptable to the community,” she said, according to Antata News Agency, on Monday (May 25).
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is regarded as one of the world’s rarest sharks and can grow up to about 1.8 metres in length.
Rohani said 43 specimens were recorded in less than three weeks during field surveys, making the river one of the species’ most significant known habitats globally.
She noted that the IUCN classifies the Ganges shark as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 10 recorded sightings across its historical range from Pakistan to Myanmar since 2000.
She explained that the cooperation between Hasanuddin University and James Cook University, which began in 2022, focused not only on scientific data collection but also on developing sustainable conservation approaches involving communities as part of the solution.
Meanwhile, researcher Michael Grant from James Cook University said the Sesayap River was designated an Important Shark and Ray Area in 2024, underscoring its importance as a nursery ground for the rare river shark species.
The researchers also called for the establishment of a shark and ray research consortium in Kalimantan to strengthen scientific data and support conservation policy development. - Bernama
