A volunteer diver named Derk Remmers has captured what might be the aquatic equivalent of a unicorn sighting: rare footage of a Great White shark in the Mediterranean Sea. Remmers, who was working with the NGO Healthy Seas, described the May encounter as "pretty special," which is one way to put it when a 15-foot predator shows up for a cameo.
"The shark was pretty close to us," Remmers told the BBC, adding that his fingers were trembling as he tried to operate the camera. Because nothing says "steady hands" like a Great White shark giving you a personal inspection.
The sighting occurred many miles offshore between Tunisia and Sicily, and scientists believe the shark is an adult male. Before you cancel your Mediterranean vacation, experts say there's no need for concern, as overfishing has driven the species to near extinction in the region. Yes, the shark is the one who should be worried.
Conservationists are now hoping this rare appearance might nudge governments into creating marine protected areas in Mediterranean waters. Because if a Great White shark showing up isn't a sign that we need to protect the ocean, what is?
In other news, a Blue Origin rocket exploded, the King sent a birthday card for Sir David Attenborough via wildlife, and London Zoo weighed its animals. But none of those involved trembling fingers and a Great White shark.