On Saturday, a young German tourist who was on a diving expedition in Isla del Coco nearly became the prey of a tiger shark.
The foreigner’s good judgement allowed him to escape just as the shark was about to strike. According to a source who participated in the expedition and who witnessed the events, when they were near Manuelita Island the shark tried to attack the German, but ended up biting and destroying the diving equipment. When the shark had the diving equipment in its teeth, the experienced diver managed to get rid of all the devices (oxygen tubes, among others) and swim to the surface.
The event occurred at 10:40 a.m. and twenty people participated in the expedition. Immediately the rangers of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) were alerted.
Manuelita Island is one of the most sought-after spots to dive in Isla del Coco National Park due to its abundant marine life.
At the end of November, a US tourist identified as Rohina Bhandari – 49 years old – died after being attacked by a shark in that same spot. Bhandari was a senior Wall Street executive in New York and had extensive experience in managing investment funds.
This Galeocerdo cuvier shark left the island between 1980 and 2012. However, since that year it was sighted again by scientists who carry out research on the site. And why is it called tiger? The explanation is simple: its transverse stripes, torso and lying, resemble those of the feared feline.
In Isla del Coco it is constantly seen in different points, but especially in the northwest part. According to the records made in recent years by the researchers, individuals up to five meters long were found in the depths of the Costa Rican island.
Usually, it feeds on all kinds of prey: fish, squid, rays and other sharks. It is listed as a solitary predator that likes to attack mainly at night.