A local diver has been internationally acclaimed as a ‘shark whisperer’ after reaching elbow deep into the jaws of a Caribbean Reef Shark to retrieve a fishing hook firmly stuck in its mouth.
Gutsy shark lover Cristina Zenato reportedly spotted the shark while administering a feeder course two miles off the south shore in an area called “Shark Junction” which attracts up to 20 sharks during feedings.
Zenato, a supervisor of dive operations at Unexso, said, “I saw a little extension of a stainless steel line, and I usually remove hooks all the time so it’s not the first time. I’ve been removing hooks for many years but the more I do it, the better I get with my techniques.
“The first thing I had to do is see if the shark was hurting during the feeding and if it feeds, that means the shark is taking in the food comfortably but I knew I had to remove the hook right away for her to become comfortable again.
“I rubbed the shark on the nose as I always do to put them to sleep, and the first few times what I would do is gently open the jaw and see how the hook was inside the mouth. I tried to tug the line and push the hook but she just keeps waking up and she would swim away because obviously the pain would wake her up. I noticed that she came back so I tried to put her down again and I checked, again went in and just grabbed the hook and pushed.”
The dive instructor of over 15 years said she was not afraid to help the predator in 45ft-deep waters, as she said she was not troubled by it.
“I’m not afraid and I realized when I kept doing it that she was not doing anything, she just kept coming. I’ve been working with these animals for a very long time and when you work with somebody who you care about, if you can relieve something then why not do it. So, after working with sharks, thanks to the protection of the suit, the chance of removing a hook from the animal that I’m always involved with, I ask why not,” she said.
Zenato went on to say, “Also I see that some of them struggle for a long time and they resume eating, but my thing is I work with them every day and if I can relieve their pain without getting hurt then why not.”
Determined to assist the creatures that she’s learned to love over the years, Zenato said she insists on removing the hooks because she cares about the sharks.
“I had a lot of people question why I did it and my answer is because I care about them. I know that I can’t help every shark in the world but at least I can help the ones I come in contact with,” she added.
Ashley Penn,
The Freeport News
