Singapore Oceanarium Marks Conservation Breakthrough with First Wild Release of Captive Bred Bowmouth Guitarfish

Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa has achieved a major conservation milestone with its contribution to the world’s first transnational release of a captive bred Bowmouth Guitarfish into the wild. The initiative represents a significant step forward in marine species recovery efforts and highlights the growing role of regional collaboration in protecting threatened marine wildlife.

The juvenile Bowmouth Guitarfish, scientifically known as Rhina ancylostomus, was born under human care at Singapore Oceanarium in 2025 following the successful breeding of an adult originally sourced from the eastern waters of Taiwan. Singapore Oceanarium is the first organisation to successfully breed, raise and release a Bowmouth Guitarfish into its natural habitat, making this landmark conservation effort possible.

Initiated by Singapore Oceanarium and led by Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration under the Ocean Affairs Council, the project brought together expertise from multiple conservation, research and aquarium institutions across the region and beyond. Participating partners included the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Fisheries Research Institute of Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Shark Research Center at the National Taiwan Ocean University, Georgia Aquarium in the United States, Farglory Ocean Park and Xpark.

The programme aims to gather valuable scientific data on the species through the use of satellite tracking technology. Researchers will monitor the juvenile’s survival, movement patterns and habitat use in the wild, generating insights that can help guide future conservation and recovery efforts for the critically endangered species. The Bowmouth Guitarfish faces growing threats from habitat degradation, overfishing and wildlife trade, making conservation interventions increasingly important.

As part of the initiative, Singapore Oceanarium provided specialist expertise in animal care and husbandry to support the juvenile’s preparation, transportation and transition ahead of its release. On 4 June 2026, a team of animal care specialists accompanied the juvenile from Singapore to Taiwan to ensure its wellbeing throughout the journey.

Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, the juvenile underwent a water change procedure at Xpark before being transported to the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, where it received pre-release care and husbandry support. After experts confirmed that the animal was healthy and stable, teams led by the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology installed a satellite tracking tag. On 22 June, the juvenile was transported to Chenggong Fishing Harbor in Taitung and released offshore from a research vessel.

The release reflects Singapore Oceanarium’s expanding role in driving conservation outcomes beyond its own facilities by combining breeding expertise, professional animal care and scientific collaboration to support species recovery in natural ecosystems. It also underscores the importance of partnerships among government agencies, research institutions and conservation organisations in addressing the urgent need to protect biodiversity and maintain healthy marine environments.

The Bowmouth Guitarfish project builds on several recent conservation initiatives supported by Singapore Oceanarium. These include a headstarting programme for eight Hawksbill turtle hatchlings in partnership with Singapore’s National Parks Board, the breeding and release of near threatened Mosaic Reef Crabs into the waters of Tanjong Rimau, and the provision of leopard shark eggs that successfully hatched in Raja Ampat.

Singapore Oceanarium said it will continue supporting science-based conservation efforts and collaborative programmes that contribute to marine biodiversity protection, species recovery and long-term ecosystem resilience across the region.