It was an escape from Jaws for one very lucky seal. All it takes is common sense to not go swimming near Seal Island in Cape Town, South Africa, because there’s a very high chance you won’t be coming back. However, the seals that call it home face the very real danger of becoming dinner for the many Great White sharks that navigate the area looking for their preferred meal of choice.
Imagine you’re a helpless seal just taking a swim to find some fish to eat, when suddenly you’re under attack by one of the most feared and most popular sharks of all time – The Great White. All it takes is a matter of seconds before you become its lunch. So was the situation for one seal that put up a struggle as the shark jumped out of the water with its jaws snapping. It almost seems impossible, but a forty-one year old photographer, David ‘Baz’ Jenkins, caught the entire struggle and escape on film. Sharks, in general, swim extremely fast and most seals and people never see the attack coming, so how does one evade a shark attack? The answer is by balancing on the great fish’s nose. The little seal in question did exactly that and with nature obviously on its side, it simply got away from the large predator fish. A balancing act and a little good fortune smiled down upon the frightened and desperate to survive seal. To witness the entire scene unfold was truly amazing for the tour boat that was passing by and no doubt left spectators breathless. To be only inches away from rows and rows of razor sharp teeth is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. It was truly a sight worthy of Shark Week exposure.
Seal Island is named for the Cape Fur seals that inhabit it. The entire piece of land is covered with sun bathing seals, like a crowded beach is covered with people relaxing in the summer sun on the fourth of July. It is this massive population of seals that lure in The Great White Shark because the fish is guaranteed an easy meal. The shark will also always breach the ocean surface when in attack mode, propelling itself up and out of the water with the unlucky seal trapped in its unforgiving bite a.k.a Air Jaws. The shark can even be completely out of water when grabbing an unsuspecting seal.
Sharks often make the mistake of misidentification when attacking people; they simply just think the human being is a seal. One thing for certain can be said – no human being could ever balance on the nose of a Great White Shark and live to tell the tale.
Source: Mail Online (UK)
