Ever since Jaws, sharks have been the subject of one of the most common and intense phobias in the world. Despite sharks actually not being responsible for that many deaths (you are more likely to get crushed by a cow falling from a cliff than to be attacked by a shark), the idea that we are in their territory can’t seem to be abided by some people. Others, on the other hand, have no issues with the prehistoric killing machines, as shown by a bull shark pulled out of the ocean for pictures by Florida man.
Say cheese
Showing once again the recklessness of the human species, a man from Florida saw a small bull shark swimming near the shores of Palm Beach, so he thought it would be a good idea to go in, pull it out to the shore, and have some pictures taken with it.
Luckily for him, everything turned out ok, as the viral video shows the man struggling to pull the dangerous fish out of the water, pinning it down, and posing for pictures. Wearing nothing but his swimming trunks, the man then proceeded to drag the shark back to the ocean with the help of an on-looker and send it on its way.
Notwithstanding the fact that bull sharks are among the three most dangerous shark species to humans – along with great whites and tiger sharks – the whole thing could have ended poorly for the shark as well. The first attempt at sending it back to whence it came failed, with the animal being pushed back ashore by the waves, but the second attempt was successful.
Animals aren’t disposable
A similar event that ended on a much more bitter note occurred late last week on a Brazilian beach, as a man pulled out a baby dolphin from the water in order to take a selfie with it. Dozens of people then joined in, taking pictures with the dying animal, and eventually leaving it for dead in the mud.
Luckily for them, bull sharks doesn’t immediately start getting dehydrated once pulled out of the water, with their skin suffering permanent damage, and in the case of this particular young shark, it was quickly replaced, as only the man who pulled it out wanted a picture.
But this is an unfortunate and dangerous trend that seems to have taken hold, as it could very easily lead to more dead animals (the dolphin species in Brazil is nearly threatened), or very likely even to dead humans, as sharks are in no way animals with which you can easily mess without hope for repercussions.
Image source: YouTube