Yikes.
Marine biologist, author and free diver, Ocean Ramsey (great name for a marine biologist), was geared up and ready to jump in the water off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.
As she was about to make her way into the water, a massive tiger shark came rushing up to the surface, and Ocean, quickly backed away into the boat. And while that would be a pretty frightening encounter for the average person, Ocean knows this ol’ tiger shark pretty well.
Named “Queen Nikki,” Ramsey explained the situation, and how she’s known this particular shark for more than 20 years.
And rather than being afraid, she was excited to see her again.
It was all explained her viral video on Instagram:
“I LOVE Tiger shark Queen Nikki, and have dove with her for several decades and I don’t want people to get the wrong idea about sharks, or her, she’s incredible and also usually the most dominant individual of course, but generally she’s more like an old Grandma and she just keeps the young spunky ones in check which is actually better for us.
Large species are capable apex predators not monsters who need and deserve respect and protection. Sharks are currently being killed at an unsustainable rate of over 100,000,000 every year which is devastating for ecosystems humans also rely on.
Please help support conservation efforts for the sake of marine ecosystems and the future and also always dive with a professional.
I wanted to share my POV from days even with multiple Tiger sharks so people could maybe feel better seeing that its actually not that common that we need to redirect a shark, right away, but it’s best to always be respectfully ready.
Sometimes our mere presence is enough to scare them off like the shark in the first clip who looked like she had an injury to her dorsal ridge which could’ve likely happened from being wrapped up in something for an extended period of time as she grew, as we’ve seen with sharks who swam by with thick plastic packing bands on them.
Again thank you so much to those who continue to help speak up and educate.”
Check it out:
She elaborated more on Today.
