On December 8, 2025, something truly special happened in Thai waters. Four endangered Indo-Pacific leopard sharks—named Maiton, Hope, Toty, and Spot—were successfully released back into the wild off Maiton Island, Phuket, in the Andaman Sea as part of Thailand’s first major leopard shark rewilding effort.
This event was not just local news—Shark Guardian’s blog covered this release in depth, highlighting how collaboration between science-led conservation groups, government agencies, and citizen scientists helped make it possible.
For us at Fast Manta Diving Krabi, being invited to attend this event alongside Shark Guardian was a meaningful recognition of our long-term commitment to marine conservation. We’re proud to be an official Shark Guardian Ambassador Dive Center, and this experience reinforced why we invest so much energy into protecting our ocean home.
Thailand’s First Leopard Shark Rewilding Program
The Indo-Pacific leopard shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) was once a familiar sight in the Andaman Sea, known for its distinctive spotted pattern and graceful movement. But decades of fishing pressure, habitat loss, and slow reproduction have led to dramatic declines, pushing the species toward endangerment.
The StAR Project Thailand (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery Project) is the country’s first structured program aiming to restore wild populations through scientific breeding, pre-release conditioning, and long-term monitoring. The four sharks released in December bring the total number of individuals returned to the wild in 2025 to seven—a significant conservation milestone.
Shark Guardian’s blog explains how leopard sharks are now being detected on acoustic trackers and observed moving naturally in the wild, a promising sign that the project is helping these animals survive and thrive after release.
Fast Manta & Shark Guardian: Invited to Be Part of the Mission
Fast Manta Diving Krabi was honoured to be invited to join this event alongside Shark Guardian, reinforcing our shared goals for shark conservation and marine protection. As a Shark Guardian Ambassador Dive Center, we actively support shark-friendly education, community engagement, and data-driven conservation work.
This invitation reflected not only our shared values, but also the everyday conservation efforts we practice here in Krabi waters—efforts that go beyond occasional events and are part of our daily dive operations.
Conservation Starts at Home: Our Work in Krabi Waters
While national projects like StAR are essential, we believe that real long-term change starts locally. At Fast Manta Diving Krabi, marine conservation is part of our mission, led by our in-house marine biologist instructor and supported by our staff, students, and guests.
🦈 Krabi Megafauna Monitoring
We regularly log sightings of sharks, rays, turtles, and other megafauna in Krabi waters, contributing valuable data toward understanding regional biodiversity.
♻️ Krabi Debris Monitoring & Removal
Through regular Dive Against Debris activities, we document and remove marine litter from local dive sites, helping to reduce pollution and protect sensitive habitats.
🌱 Education Through Diving
As a PADI Eco Dive Center, every dive becomes an opportunity to learn about the ocean, responsible practices, and how to participate in real conservation work.
A Moment That Reinforced Our Purpose
Standing on the water, watching these sharks return to the ocean, was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Conservation is not about quick wins—it’s about long-term commitment, collaboration, and taking responsibility for the places we love to dive. Being part of this release off Maiton Island, Phuket, in the Andaman Sea, reinforced our belief that meaningful change happens when science, education, and action come together.
Final Thoughts
Leopard sharks are more than just beautiful animals. As key players in reef ecosystems, they help regulate biodiversity and maintain healthy coral systems. Their increasing sightings and ongoing tracking successes offer hope—proof that science-led rewilding efforts can help endangered species recover.
We are grateful to StAR Project Thailand and Shark Guardian for the invitation and for spotlighting this vital conservation work. At Fast Manta Diving Krabi, we remain committed to protecting sharks—not just during special events, but every dive, every day, in Krabi waters and beyond.
Because protecting the ocean isn’t optional.
It’s our responsibility.
Dive with purpose. Protect what you love. Inspire others.
