The long swim to freedom

After being caught by a fisherman in 1998 and kept in captivity for seven years, Val the ragged tooth shark finally tasted freedom again on Monday when she was released off Struisbaai in heavy swells.

Identifiable by a small "beauty spot" on her cheek, but unfortunately named after the vast amount of Valium needed to sedate her, Val began her seven-hour liberty bid on the roof of the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

Before being moved, Val was fitted with ultrasonic and satellite tags to monitor her movements. It is hoped that by following the electronic pulses the tags emit, more will be learnt about this mysterious species, including mating areas and feeding habits.

After heavy sedation, it still took eight men to manhandle her massive frame across a pulley and into the waiting truck. A four-hour drive ensued before Val arrived at Struisbaai dock to the immense curiosity of her waiting fans.

She was lowered into a speedboat and whisked away to her release point about 15 kilometres offshore.

Aquarium communications manager Helen Lockhart said it was carefully chosen to be near where Val was captured.

There was already a large pack of ragged tooths in the vicinity.

Ragged tooth sharks continue to be hunted by big game fishermen and the finning industry and their numbers are declining at an alarming rate. The World Conservation Union considers them a "vulnerable species".

Val's release is part of a project by the Save Our Seas Foundation.