Posted on 10/24/2013 12:03:49 PM PDT by nickcarraway
It was a scene straight from the ancient fable as Matt Heath swam up to a tiger shark – and spotted a fisherman’s hook sticking out of its mouth.
Androcles famously braved the lion’s roars to pull a giant thorn from its paw.
But would one of the most dangerous predators known to man respond as tamely as Aesop’s injured beast?
After swimming with the sharks and gaining their trust, the dive boat captain knew he had to help.
‘Believe me, there is nothing relaxing about pulling a large hook out of a 14ft tiger shark,’ said the 29-year-old American. ‘However, the feeling of seeing these amazing creatures swim away a bit more comfortable is worth the risk.’
Mr Heath has spent years studying the sharks in the Bahamas and understanding their behaviour.
‘They became friends and I could not help but care about them as you would with any animal you spend so much time with,’ he said.
‘If your dog came in from playing outside and had a thorn in its paw, of course, you would want to remove it.
‘You can only imagine how it must feel to have a piece of metal stuck in your jaw while you are trying to eat.’
Mr Heath, from Illinois, said it was important to see tiger sharks as more than just man-eaters.
‘Hopefully, we can begin to change the way we see these beautiful animals and the role they play in keeping our oceans healthy,’ he explained.
‘Up until around six years ago, swimming with a tiger shark would have been a nightmare to me. But I want these sharks to be happy and healthy, and this means putting myself in a very uncomfortable position from time to time.’
Brave? I’d say a bit nuts.... but I’m not into sharks.
don't assign human feelings or emotions to sharks, dude
Sharks are a pretty tough breed. They can live with many different hooks in their mouth. It is kinda like our kids these days who have several different types of metal in their face for looks...
Hooks rust out quickly.
So I’d just call it foolhardy.
Do we only have his word for it? I’m calling BS
Reminds me of the Grizzly Guy who became “friends” with Alaskan grizzly bears...
You might try clicking on the link and scrolling to the photo evidence....
STUPID doesn't BEGIN to describe Mr. Grizzly Guy, who is now "sleepin' with the fishes" in some sharks gullet.
Er, I am mixing my metaphors. Sorry.
Heh. Sharkathon is this weekend. Don’t know, though, if it has been moved back to Padre Island National Seashore (I think maybe it has) or is at Mustang Island State Park.
Exactly salt water takes care of PDQ.
Like on “Finding Nemo”?
“Fish Are Friends, Not Food” as Bruce said.
Right.
“After swimming with the sharks and gaining their trust...”
More likely he just didn’t look appetizing to one yet.
Call me crazy but that man-eating part is hard for me to get past.
‘the feeling of seeing these amazing creatures swim away a bit more comfortable is worth the risk.’
Next time, put your foot in its mouth; there’s nothing as ‘comfortable’ as a good meal.
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