A shark expert researching the movement of sharks was viciously attacked by a 9ft Galápagos shark while diving more than 100ft below the surface on Saturday.
Dr. Mauricio Hoyos, aged 48, who leads the Mexico-based conservation organization Pelagios Kakunjá, sustained 27 injuries during the intense deep-sea incident. Each wound corresponded to one of the shark’s teeth that broke through his jaw and face via his diving mask, as reported by The New York Times.
Describing the harrowing experience from a hospital in Costa Rica, Hoyos mentioned, “My entire head was inside her mouth in less than a second. If she had wanted to, she could have killed me.”
Collaborating with Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation, a charitable group, Hoyos’ team embarked on a research expedition on September 20 to investigate the protection needs of sharks in the vicinity from commercial fishing, according to the Mirror US.
During the expedition’s sixth day, Hoyos equipped himself with diving gear and a pole spear, descending to a depth of 123ft. Upon encountering the 9ft female shark, he aimed to tag it with his pole spear, striking its dorsal fin. In a swift motion, the shark lunged towards him, opening its jaws.
Recalling the incident to The Times, Hoyos stated, “She turned quickly towards me; her mouth was wide open, engulfing my head in an instant.”
Despite hearing a cracking sound, Hoyos clarified it was merely pressure. He added, “Once she felt my skull, she let go. Then she swam away.”
With his scuba mask filling with blood and water, and his air hoses severed by the shark’s teeth, Hoyos carefully began ascending to the surface, ensuring a gradual decompression process. He expressed, “My primary concern was the sensation of breathlessness. I attempted to breathe but struggled.”
Upon reaching the surface and feeling faint, Hoyos was promptly rescued onto a skiff by his team and rushed to Cocos Island for medical treatment before being transferred to a mainland hospital.
Awaiting surgery for the 27 wounds on his jaw, face, and scalp, Hoyos’ approach to the situation was commended by Dr. Alex Antoniou, Fins Attached’s director. Antoniou stated, “He comprehends shark behavior.” Hoyos speculated that the shark may have been startled by the tagging action, as she likely did not notice his presence before being punctured.
Explaining the shark’s behavior, Hoyos reasoned, “It was a defensive bite. She wanted me to stay away from her territory. She was also frightened. It was not her fault.”