1 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:03,520 ♪ ♪ 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 3 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,800 NARRATOR: The great white shark, iconic apex predator. 4 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 5 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:18,720 Long seen as the lone wolf of the ocean, until now. 6 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:24,240 Sharks of all species are being spotted in gangs 7 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:25,680 across the globe. 8 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,280 Leaving experts determined to uncover what’s behind 9 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,800 this shark gang phenomenon. 10 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:34,800 CHRIS: We’re finding that they’re far more social than we’ve ever thought. 11 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:36,200 NARRATOR: Is it for protection? 12 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:39,560 MATT: We have twelve bull sharks, circling around the cage 13 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:41,000 NARRATOR: Migration? 14 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:44,240 MATT: You can start to really see the hierarchy of these sharks 15 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:46,840 NARRATOR: Or even to hunt in a pack? 16 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:48,320 YANNIS: If these animals hunt in a group, 17 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:50,720 everybody’s success goes up. 18 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:53,240 NARRATOR: Are these predators joining forces, 19 00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:55,920 to dominate the deep? 20 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:08,880 NARRATOR: Off the coast of North Carolina, 21 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:14,600 lies a treacherous stretch of water with strong currents and shifting sands. 22 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:19,040 With the remains of up to 5,000 ships, 23 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,440 it’s known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. 24 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,680 Hidden within this eerie resting place for lost souls 25 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,800 are gangs of sand tiger sharks. 26 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:33,400 Photographer and conservationist, 27 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:37,560 Tanya Houppermans, has spent over a decade documenting 28 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:40,240 the shark gang phenomenon occurring here. 29 00:01:40,320 --> 00:01:42,280 TANYA (off-screen): I started diving around 2009. 30 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:44,360 Came down here to North Carolina and that was 31 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,360 the first time that I saw the sand tiger sharks. 32 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:50,280 It literally changed my life. 33 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:52,720 I walked into work and quit, 34 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:53,800 left the cooperate world behind 35 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:57,000 and decided to devote my life to spending time with sharks. 36 00:01:57,080 --> 00:01:59,240 NARRATOR: Working with Spot a Shark USA, 37 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,680 Tanya is studying the thousands of sharks that have 38 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:04,360 made these shipwrecks their home. 39 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:07,320 These rusting hulks provide the perfect conditions for 40 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:12,320 marine life to grow, and for predators to hunt. 41 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,240 But why sand tiger sharks congregate here in such 42 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:18,160 large gangs is still a mystery. 43 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:21,440 TANYA (off-screen): There are times that we could see 100 and maybe even 44 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,560 more sharks in an aggregation. 45 00:02:23,640 --> 00:02:26,960 They really seem to prefer to be around other sand tiger sharks. 46 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:29,280 We're not quite sure why yet. 47 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:31,680 NARRATOR: Today, Tanya and her husband Scott, 48 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,120 are looking for answers by diving a wreck known for 49 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:37,960 large groups of sand tiger sharks. 50 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:40,360 TANYA: Today we're heading out to the wreck of the Carib Sea. 51 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:42,120 This is a freighter that was sunk by a 52 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:44,280 U-boat during World War II. 53 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,480 Right now, she lives about 90 feet underwater. 54 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:50,360 That's where we tend to see 55 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:52,160 a lot of sand tiger sharks hanging out. 56 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:55,000 NARRATOR: Tanya is on the front line, 57 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:58,640 trying to discover the secret that unites theses sharks. 58 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:00,280 She’s taking photographs, 59 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:04,520 so scientists can study them for vital clues. 60 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:07,560 TANYA: Inside this housing is the camera that I use to 61 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:12,200 photograph the sharks and we have two lasers here on each side. 62 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:13,840 When I take a picture of a shark, 63 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:17,560 these two green dots will show up on the side of the shark. 64 00:03:17,640 --> 00:03:20,400 We can then actually calculate the length of that shark, 65 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:22,440 just from the photograph itself. 66 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:25,680 Then we can go in and identify each individual shark based on 67 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:27,120 its unique spot patterns. 68 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:31,200 It’s like fingerprint is to a person. 69 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:32,800 We can kind of give each other’s gear a look over too. 70 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:38,680 Alright, looks good. 71 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:40,280 Every dive there’s the possibility of learning 72 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:41,840 something new about these animals. 73 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,960 There’s really hasn’t been a lot of research done on them. 74 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,760 You know, compared to a lot of other species such as great whites. 75 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:49,920 So anytime we can get the water with them and bring back 76 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,560 any information for the researchers that I work with. 77 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:54,440 It's great day. 78 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:55,920 You good babe? 79 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,960 Alright. Let's go find some sharks. 80 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:07,720 (oxygen tank hissing) 81 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:09,440 TANYA (over radio): We have 100 feet of visibility; 82 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:10,560 clear blue water. 83 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,360 (oxygen tank hissing) 84 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,760 A lot of the wreck is still intact. 85 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:20,080 You can see the big bow structure. 86 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:21,880 It never gets old. 87 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:26,120 There are just sharks as far as I can see, all around me. 88 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:29,080 NARRATOR: These sharks are named after tigers, 89 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,280 because of their voracious appetite, 90 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:35,080 but to Tanya they’re gentle giants. 91 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:36,800 TANYA (over radio): They have these raggedy teeth 92 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:38,560 that makes them look really fierce, 93 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,800 but these sharks are full of personality. 94 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:45,560 Sand tiger sharks are probably about six or seven feet. 95 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,880 With the females being a little bit bigger than the males. 96 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,440 NARRATOR: Surrounded by a swarm of sharks, 97 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,040 Tanya begins her search for evidence, 98 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:56,480 as to why so many are here. 99 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:59,640 (oxygen tank hissing) 100 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:01,520 TANYA (over radio): There are a lot of females. 101 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:06,760 Every so often you see a few males, but it’s mostly females. 102 00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:09,080 Why is that? 103 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:11,680 NARRATOR: With her laser guided camera Tanya captures 104 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:14,800 her first clue to solving this mystery. 105 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:22,240 TANYA (over radio): Some of the females do have scars from mating. 106 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:26,080 When the sharks mate, the male actually holds onto 107 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,080 the female with his teeth. 108 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:34,720 If we see fresh mating scars that female may be pregnant. 109 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:38,160 We’re finding several pregnant females. 110 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:40,720 Why are they grouping together? 111 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:46,840 NARRATOR: After photographing the girl gang. 112 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,560 TANYA: That was amazing. There was a lot of sharks. 113 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:54,080 NARRATOR: Tanya tries to make sense of this incredible spectacle. 114 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:56,040 TANYA: So what we're seeing is a big gang of 115 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,040 sand tiger sharks, um, mostly females. 116 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:01,400 We have so many unanswered questions, 117 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:04,640 but what we’re thinking is that maybe these females are 118 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,160 aggregating together during pregnancy, 119 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:09,880 so that the males don’t try to mate with them again. 120 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:13,280 TANYA (off-screen): It could be possible that the females are kind of banding together, 121 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,400 as kind of a support network. 122 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:18,520 They are choosing to group together like this. 123 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:24,560 And so not all sharks are just solo predators, 124 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:29,080 sharks could have a social life just like humans. 125 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,160 NARRATOR: Tanya’s observation that female sand tiger sharks 126 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:34,760 could form gangs for protection from males, 127 00:06:34,840 --> 00:06:36,320 is one explanation. 128 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:40,120 But is this the case, for all species of shark? 129 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:45,200 Just off the coast of California’s busiest beaches, 130 00:06:45,280 --> 00:06:46,960 (yelling) 131 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:50,600 gangs of great whites lurk in the shallows. 132 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:55,760 Increasing numbers of wounded seals are washing ashore. 133 00:06:55,840 --> 00:06:58,120 And the news unsettles the locals. 134 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,240 REPORT (over TV): A pilot reported seeing the adult sharks. 135 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:06,480 All three, 10-12 feet long about 150 feet away from the surf zone. 136 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,320 MAN: If I go out and see a swarm then I’m right back out. 137 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:12,480 NARRATOR: Shark expert Dr. Chris Lowe, 138 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,960 and his team from the world-famous Shark Lab, 139 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,720 are here to get to the bottom of this escalating situation. 140 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:21,280 CHRIS (off-screen): When we talk to a lot of the locals, 141 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:23,600 many of them are shocked to find out that there are 142 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:25,640 so many great whites off their beaches. 143 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:29,760 When these sharks first started showing up the 144 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:31,680 lifeguards would go out with jet skis and 145 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:33,320 try to drive them off the beach. 146 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,040 And it was actually comical to watch, 147 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:41,640 because the sharks were completely unfazed. 148 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:43,680 Now what that tells me, as a scientist is, 149 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:45,520 they really like this habitat. 150 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:51,480 NARRATOR: To ease local tensions, 151 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:53,760 Chris and his team are determined to find out why 152 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:56,600 these great whites are forming gangs here. 153 00:07:56,680 --> 00:07:58,360 CHRIS (off-screen): Our main goal is to try to figure out 154 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:00,160 why they picked this beach? 155 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:01,920 And why are they together? 156 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:06,920 Most people consider sharks this individual, solitary predator, right? 157 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,920 Always by itself looking for its prey. 158 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:13,040 That isn’t what we’re finding to be the case. 159 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:15,880 NARRATOR: Today the Shark Lab team is on a mission to 160 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,280 tag great whites in the area. 161 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:19,600 CHRIS: We’ve got tagging stuff for tagging? 162 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,000 JAMES: Yep. I think we’re all good. 163 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:24,200 NARRATOR: They use tags to monitor the number of sharks 164 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:26,600 and their position off the beach. 165 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:30,280 The team hopes the data will provide clues as to why these 166 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:33,360 great whites are here in such large groups. 167 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:45,640 CHRIS: We can go out each year, during shark season, 168 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:48,160 which is that time between April and about October, 169 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:51,560 and then try to locate sharks and tag them. 170 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:53,800 By tagging them and tracking them we know what 171 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,560 they are doing all the time. 172 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,120 CHRIS (over radio): Beach team, Beach team. 173 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:01,120 This is the whaler, do you copy? 174 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:03,120 JACK (over radio): Yes go ahead. 175 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:04,400 CHRIS (over radio): Put the bird in the sky. 176 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:05,840 See what you can see. 177 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:12,560 CHRIS (off-screen): Five ago, we wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing now. 178 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:18,640 Technology has completely changed how we study group behavior in sharks. 179 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,040 We use the drones to spot for us. 180 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:24,520 They give us a bird’s eye view of what animals are doing, 181 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,680 when they don’t know we’re watching. 182 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:29,920 It’s the ultimate spy technology. 183 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:33,240 JACK: I’ve got eyes on it 184 00:09:33,680 --> 00:09:35,040 CHRIS (over radio): Alright I’m headed to your location. 185 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:39,960 JACK: It’s 7 o’clock, about 50 meters. I’ll try to get eyes on the shark again 186 00:09:42,680 --> 00:09:44,560 EMILY: Oh there they are! 187 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:46,400 JACK: You’re right on it. 188 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,320 It’s right on the drone. 189 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:51,600 CHRIS: The drones tell us where the shark is and then if 190 00:09:51,680 --> 00:09:54,560 we are very stealthy we can dart the transmitter 191 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:56,440 into the shark’s’ back. 192 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:59,040 JAMES: I’m going to rig up a tag. 193 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:03,280 Uh, okay, the ID number is 4342. 194 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:08,200 CHRIS: The tags they’re communicating with acoustic receivers all along the shore. 195 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:10,560 So, every time one of those tagged sharks gets within 196 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:13,680 about 300 yards, the receiver logs the time, 197 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,400 the date and the ID number of that shark. 198 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:19,840 NARRATOR: These harmless tags drop off after two years, 199 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:23,360 but attaching them to a great white is the tricky part. 200 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:25,040 CHRIS: We’re going to attempt to tag now. 201 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:26,560 JACK (over radio): Copy. 202 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:30,040 CHRIS: Alright James, here’s your weapon. 203 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:34,160 NARRATOR: Not only are great whites the largest predatory shark on earth, 204 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:36,720 weighing up to 5,000 pounds. 205 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:38,320 JAMES: Alright Emily, let’s go for the approach. 206 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:42,920 NARRATOR: These torpedo shaped predators are also lightening quick. 207 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:47,040 EMILY: Oh God. Yeah, it’s, it's there. 208 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:50,360 JACK: Alright it’s going to be at your 1:00, 209 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:51,760 about 400 meters. 210 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:53,200 It’s heading North. 211 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:55,080 CHRIS: Coming, coming around the back. 212 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:59,960 JAMES: I see it, I see it. Coming across the bow. 213 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:05,480 EMILY: Oh, it’s spooked. It’s coming around this way. 214 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:17,760 Okay, 12:00. Like 15 feet in front. 215 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:22,480 CHRIS: Getting a good position on the shark is really critical. 216 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:31,520 EMILY: Just there. Coming around. Just there. 217 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:35,920 JAMES: Tag away! 218 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:37,680 Got it! 219 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:41,320 NARRATOR: With another great white tagged, 220 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,240 the team is one step closer to tracking the movements of 221 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,680 the whole shark gang. 222 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:49,600 But to monitor how many sharks congregate here, 223 00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:52,440 Marine biology student, Emily Spurgeon, 224 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:56,200 performs a job that’s not for everyone. 225 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:58,320 CHRIS: Okay and you two are diving. 226 00:11:58,400 --> 00:11:59,520 EMILY: Yep. CHRIS: Alright. 227 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:00,960 Watch your back. 228 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,880 NARRATOR: She must dive into these shark filled waters to 229 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,120 collect a receiver that’s tracking great whites in the area. 230 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:14,440 Low water visibility makes this dive riskier than usual, 231 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,320 as Emily will be unable to spot the predators 232 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:19,680 until they’re up close. 233 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:21,040 EMILY: There are sharks in this area and that is 234 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,280 something we have to be mindful of when we dive. 235 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:25,360 If I did run into a shark while we were diving, 236 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:27,360 James and I we would probably go back-to-back, 237 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:29,080 so we could keep eyes on all sides. 238 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:30,560 If the shark knows we’re watching it, 239 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:31,960 it might swim off. 240 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:33,920 JAMES: Alright. On three. 241 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:37,040 EMILY: Yeah. JAMES: One. Two. Three. 242 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:45,760 (oxygen tank hissing) 243 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:47,160 EMILY (off-screen): The visibility is not great, 244 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:48,800 it’s half a foot to a foot. 245 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,680 There could be sharks 10 feet away from us we just don’t see them. 246 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:58,800 What was that? 247 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:06,600 ♪ ♪ 248 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:14,320 (rapid heartbeats) 249 00:13:19,680 --> 00:13:21,720 NARRATOR: Marine Biologist, Emily Spurgeon, 250 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:25,720 is diving in low visibility water to swap out a receiver, 251 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:29,600 which monitors great whites off the coast of California. 252 00:13:29,680 --> 00:13:31,560 But she’s not alone. 253 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:35,880 EMILY (over radio): There could be sharks 10 feet away from us 254 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:37,000 we just don’t see them. 255 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:41,680 (oxygen tank hissing) 256 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:43,560 What was that? 257 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:46,400 I can’t get it. 258 00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:50,600 I got it. 259 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:05,800 EMILY: Got it. 260 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,240 NARRATOR: Dr. Chris Lowe immediately hooks up 261 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:11,200 the receiver to his laptop. 262 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:14,040 CHRIS: Okay the light is flashing, it should be connecting. 263 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,280 NARRATOR: He’s hoping the data from the tags reveals exactly 264 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,440 how many sharks are infiltrating these 265 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:23,360 coastal waters and more importantly, why? 266 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:25,800 CHRIS: Alright, let’s see what we’ve got. 267 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:26,840 EMILY: Just in the last two weeks, 268 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:29,000 we’ve had over 14,000 detections. 269 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:30,040 CHRIS: Nice! 270 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:31,960 EMILY: And the most recent detection. 271 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:34,680 10:36, that’s when we were in the water. 272 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,520 CHRIS: And a shark just has to be within 400 yards. 273 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:39,120 EMILY: Yeah. CHRIS: To get a detection. 274 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:40,120 CHRIS: Very cool. EMILY: Yeah. 275 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:41,400 CHRIS: Alright, so let’s see how many sharks. 276 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:44,600 EMILY: Let’s see, one, two, three, four, five. 277 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:47,240 13 sharks just at this station. 278 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:49,400 CHRIS: Wow, Okay! EMILY: Yeah. 279 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:51,840 NARRATOR: Excited by the size of this shark gang, 280 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:56,760 Chris now tries to solve the mystery of why they’re here. 281 00:14:56,840 --> 00:14:59,480 CHRIS: Some of these individuals have been residing here, 282 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:01,680 for long periods of time. 283 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,520 These animals are showing fidelity to this area. 284 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:08,720 CHRIS (off-screen): Maybe its food abundance. 285 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,720 The sand is covered with sting rays here. 286 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:15,640 These are the number one thing that these young sharks like to eat. 287 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:18,320 But what’s the advantage of being in a group? 288 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:19,960 We don’t know yet. 289 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,600 NARRATOR: As Chris’ team investigates whether food is 290 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:26,840 the reason that sharks form gangs, 291 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:29,360 other scientists explore the idea that sharks 292 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:31,920 enjoy hanging out, as friends. 293 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:37,520 A collection of 700 islands and keys, 294 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:42,560 the Bahamas is not only paradise but the shark capital of the world. 295 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:49,200 This marine habitat is a protected sanctuary, 296 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,600 for over 40 species of sharks. 297 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:56,720 In the secluded mangroves of North Bimini. 298 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,240 Marine biologist, Dr. Félice Dhellemmes 299 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:01,000 and researcher Chessie Mason, 300 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:02,680 of the Bimini Shark Lab, 301 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:05,520 are tracking down a missing school of sharks that are 302 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,840 vital to their research into the shark gang phenomenon. 303 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:11,720 FÉLICIE: So were you here during the hurricane? 304 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,760 CHESSIE: Yeah, I was and it was actually kind of crazy. 305 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:17,200 All of this sand bank was completely exposed and 306 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:19,440 since it’s completely changed. 307 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,640 NARRATOR: In 2019 Hurricane Dorian swept through 308 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:26,000 the Bahamas with intense ferocity. 309 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:29,920 (whirling wind) 310 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,840 Devastating it’s mangroves and displacing gangs of sharks. 311 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,880 CHESSIE: I’m kind of worried if we’re gonna even find juvenile lemon sharks. 312 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:40,960 FÉLICIE: If the water was gone, 313 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:42,720 they probably had to go somewhere else. 314 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:44,240 CHESSIE: Yeah, maybe deeper water. 315 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:46,560 FÉLICIE: I’m hoping that they manage to find their way back 316 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:48,920 to the safety of the mangrove. 317 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,240 Lemon sharks are being threatened worldwide, 318 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:52,760 because the mangrove habitats, 319 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:55,360 in which they are born and grow, are being destroyed. 320 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:58,600 So, I’m going to pull into those mangroves. 321 00:16:58,680 --> 00:16:59,760 CHESSIE: I can go up to the front and 322 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:02,240 see if I can see anything. 323 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:04,800 Fel, I think I’ve got a lemon. 324 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:06,040 FÉLICIE: You sure it’s a lemon? 325 00:17:06,120 --> 00:17:08,360 CHESSIE: Yeah, I think so. FÉLICIE: Oh my God, yes! 326 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,840 I can see it to. 327 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:13,920 NARRATOR: Female lemon sharks come to these mangroves each 328 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:19,760 year to give birth, often to as many as 17 pups in one litter. 329 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:23,560 Left to fend for themselves, the babies group together for 330 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,960 protection in the dense roots and shallow waters. 331 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:30,320 Giving them extra cover from predators and 332 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:32,520 even cannibal lemon sharks. 333 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:34,800 It’s a tough start in life, 334 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,600 when your own species is out to get you! 335 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:39,360 CHESSIE: Lemon Sharks are called lemon sharks, 336 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:42,120 because they have this yellowish coloration. 337 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:43,760 They’re quite small when they’re juveniles, 338 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:46,280 but they’re incredibly agile and they are actually able 339 00:17:46,360 --> 00:17:51,520 to turn almost 360 degrees on the spot. 340 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:55,520 NARRATOR: Félicie and Chessie must enter the mangroves on foot. 341 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,680 CHESSIE: Let’s get in! 342 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:00,320 NARRATOR: To investigate whether or not this is a 343 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:03,800 lone lemon shark, or a member of gang. 344 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:04,880 CHESSIE: Can you see something? 345 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:08,000 FÉLICIE: Could they be in there? 346 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:09,440 CHESSIE: They just move so quickly. 347 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:14,320 NARRATOR: Lemon sharks’ yellow skin provides the perfect camouflage in sandy water, 348 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:17,160 so spotting them is never easy. 349 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,320 FÉLICIE: I’m really hoping we can find a group today. 350 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,520 Lemon sharks are absolutely perfect for research, 351 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:26,560 because they hang out in such big groups normally. 352 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:30,840 I’m interested in whether or not sharks are always social or not. 353 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:33,200 If some of them are more social than others. 354 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:35,520 See this might be a good place. 355 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:39,600 That looks very similar to every other hang out spot I’ve ever seen. 356 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:43,000 Oh, I think I see one! 357 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:44,600 CHESSIE: Oh wait straight ahead there? 358 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:45,920 I think you’re right! 359 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:49,680 FÉLICIE: It’s a lemon! It’s a lemon! Oh my God. 360 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:50,880 Here they are. 361 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,640 NARRATOR: In the Bahamas, marine biologist 362 00:18:57,720 --> 00:18:59,440 Dr. Félicie Dhellemmes and 363 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:04,360 researcher Chessie Mason have found a missing gang of lemon sharks. 364 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:06,720 FÉLICIE: Oh my God. Here they are. 365 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:09,680 NARRATOR: Displaced by a recent hurricane. 366 00:19:09,760 --> 00:19:12,040 FÉLICIE: Oh, what a relief, 367 00:19:12,120 --> 00:19:14,440 because we didn’t think we’d find one. 368 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,720 It’s really, really great news that at least one group is 369 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:21,120 healthy and is using the mangroves again. 370 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:22,400 Oh, here is a baby! 371 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:23,840 CHESSIE: Oh! 372 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:28,200 FÉLICIE: Oh my God, it’s so cute! 373 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:30,760 Lemon sharks when they are this age are just the 374 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:32,560 most adorable thing in the world. 375 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:34,560 Their little fins are just perfect. 376 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:36,640 They are kind of funny the way they swim. 377 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:38,040 I love them. 378 00:19:38,120 --> 00:19:39,520 CHESSIE: How many can you count. 379 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:41,440 FÉLICIE: I think there’s a least five here. 380 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:43,160 NARRATOR: Like their great white cousins, 381 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:46,720 lemon sharks form gangs from birth for protection, 382 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:48,760 but that’s not the only reason. 383 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:52,440 These sharks seem to enjoy each other’s company. 384 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:53,600 CHESSIE: You see those two? 385 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:54,960 FÉLICIE: Yeah, they keep on coming together. 386 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,000 CHESSIE: Yeah, really cool. 387 00:19:57,080 --> 00:19:59,760 FÉLICIE: They’re almost holding fins. 388 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:02,640 Sharks are social and we’ve found them to stick together 389 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:06,400 and to really have favorite buddies, at least at this age. 390 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,800 Ah look at him! Hi! 391 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:11,840 Hi, what’s up my man. 392 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:15,840 During my research I’ve seen lemon sharks be social in captivity, 393 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,640 but it’s really cool to see that happening in the wild. 394 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:20,880 CHESSIE: It’s honestly amazing. 395 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,080 FÉLICIE: I think when most people think about sharks they 396 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:25,440 are thinking about a mindless killer, 397 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:26,960 but those sharks have personalities and 398 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:30,120 even have a social structure that’s quite complex. 399 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:34,480 NARRATOR: Though Félicie’s research suggests that lemon sharks form friendships, 400 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,360 the Bimini Shark Lab team is unsure whether 401 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:41,120 these social bonds exist amongst bigger predators. 402 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,520 Each winter, great hammerheads migrate to Bimini, 403 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,920 to prey on bountiful fish and rays. 404 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:53,360 These imposing giants can grow up to 20 feet long. 405 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:57,600 The head of Bimini Shark Lab, Matt Smukall and his team, 406 00:20:57,680 --> 00:20:59,960 has been studying the social dynamics of these 407 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:03,160 great hammerheads for almost a decade. 408 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:06,840 MATT (off-screen): Great hammerheads can cover thousands of miles each year 409 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:09,680 and we're right along one of their known migration routes. 410 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:12,240 It's such a special opportunity to spend time in 411 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:14,960 the water with the same individuals year after year, 412 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,000 and you can almost get to know their different personalities. 413 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:20,600 NARRATOR: Today, Matt and his team prepare to dive with 414 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:25,520 these giants of the ocean, to learn if they form gangs, 415 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,440 and how they get along. 416 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:32,520 MATT: So, we're out at the, uh, hammerhead site. 417 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:37,000 Since these are fairly elusive and 418 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:39,400 critically endangered sharks, 419 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:44,000 we're gonna use the bait to keep them around and 420 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:47,040 actually observe some of the different behaviors. 421 00:21:47,120 --> 00:21:49,120 FÉLICIE: I'm gonna get that tube of bait in the water. 422 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:53,080 That will start attracting some hammerheads. 423 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:55,960 There's already quite a few nurse sharks here. 424 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:57,280 MATT: Obviously, when we have bait in the water, 425 00:21:57,360 --> 00:21:59,640 it's not just hammerheads that might show up. 426 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:03,000 At this dive site we have a lot of nurse sharks, bull sharks. 427 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:05,320 So, you always just have to be paying attention to 428 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:07,160 the number of sharks you have. 429 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:09,320 Checking around us, watch our back. 430 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:11,120 We’ll have comms down there, 431 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:12,440 if you want to relay anything to us. 432 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:14,240 And then, we’ll also let you know how things are going. 433 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:17,280 FÉLICIE: Alright, sounds good. 434 00:22:17,360 --> 00:22:19,920 There’s a hammerhead right here, we've got our first one guys! 435 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:21,320 CHESSIE: Oh, nice. 436 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:25,680 NARRATOR: Great hammerheads are supersized hunting machines, 437 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:29,240 so getting in the water with them takes courage. 438 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:31,160 MATT: The great hammerheads are one of the biggest sharks 439 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:33,440 we have in Bimini, they’re really what you would 440 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:35,520 classify as an apex predator. 441 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:38,080 They're designed to hunt down prey. 442 00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:43,920 They’re just extremely powerful and can potentially weigh close to a 1,000 pounds. 443 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:45,680 That's just pure muscle. 444 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:48,400 NARRATOR: Hammerheads are not only big and strong, 445 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:52,120 they can swim four times faster than an Olympic swimmer. 446 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:53,800 MATT (off-screen): When these hammerheads want to move, 447 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:56,640 even though they look big, they’re super agile. 448 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:58,200 They are just extremely quick, 449 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:01,040 they can potentially move up to 20 miles an hour. 450 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:05,080 The positioning of those eyes on the outside of that 451 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:07,680 big head gives them a better field of view. 452 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:09,600 So, they are the ones that are going to be able to chase down 453 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:13,440 sting rays, eagle rays, even smaller sharks. 454 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:17,040 NARRATOR: Surrounded by predators eager for a free meal. 455 00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:19,520 FÉLICIE: You should get ready. CHESSIE: Yeah, on it. 456 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:22,600 NARRATOR: The team put on their scuba gear, 457 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:27,480 throw in the bait box and brave the water. 458 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:30,920 FÉLICIE: Alright guys, Good luck. All clear. 459 00:23:32,360 --> 00:23:34,360 And they’re off! 460 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:42,840 MATT: This is amazing down here. We have great visibility 461 00:23:44,560 --> 00:23:47,560 CHESSIE: We’re surrounded by three different species of shark 462 00:23:48,360 --> 00:23:50,400 FÉLICIE: There’s those nurse sharks, there’s bull sharks. 463 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:51,320 Those great hammerheads. 464 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:54,080 It's kind of like you're in an underwater Safari. 465 00:23:57,480 --> 00:23:59,760 CHESSIE: Matt, I think that I can ID the great hammerhead 466 00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:03,680 I think it’s Scylla. You can tell from her dorsal fin 467 00:24:04,120 --> 00:24:06,840 FÉLICIE (off-screen): We’ve been studying those great hammerheads for many years. 468 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:10,360 And we needed to be able to identify them and recognize them, 469 00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:12,360 so we’ve started naming them after 470 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:14,440 Greek Goddess and Gods. 471 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:18,040 MATT: Now it looks like we have a second one coming in 472 00:24:18,120 --> 00:24:19,360 This looks a little bit bigger 473 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:22,000 Yeah, I think that’s Amphitrite 474 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:25,000 FÉLICIE: There she is! That’s my girl Amphitrite. 475 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:26,880 Behaviorally you can tell that’s her, 476 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,200 because she’s just up in your face. 477 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:30,640 She’s the leader out there. 478 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:32,720 She’s going to get the food reward. 479 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,320 NARRATOR: Now that Matt is center of attention, 480 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:38,880 he can study how these sharks interact with each other. 481 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:44,160 MATT: When we're feeding the hammerheads, 482 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:46,080 we have to pay attention to those sharp teeth 483 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:48,760 That's ultimately what's probably going to injure you 484 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:51,000 They're just so big, so powerful 485 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:54,560 In most places around the world 486 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:58,400 you're lucky to maybe see one or two great hammerheads on a dive 487 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:00,720 We have Amphitrite here 488 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:01,800 Scylla 489 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:03,040 Tethys 490 00:25:03,120 --> 00:25:04,840 and I think Gaia just passed by in the back 491 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:09,560 FÉLICIE: The whole gang has turned up now. 492 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:11,920 FÉLICIE: I'm going to gear up and get into the water now 493 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:16,240 MATT: Yeah, I think it’s kind of unfair, you know, we’re down here having all the fun 494 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:24,400 NARRATOR: During feeding time, Matt discovers a pecking order 495 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:26,280 between the species of shark. 496 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:29,080 MATT: Having all these different species in the water 497 00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:31,440 you can start to really see the hierarchy of these sharks 498 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:35,800 The nurse sharks are just lying on the bottom looking for the scraps 499 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:38,440 Bull sharks are just hanging around on the perimeter 500 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:43,520 Big, powerful hammerheads are kind of the ones dominating the dive site 501 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:45,680 CHESSIE: Hammerhead just came in 502 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:48,680 MATT: I've never seen her in Bimini before 503 00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:51,560 Look how enormous she is. Just the girth 504 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:54,520 She has to be around 13 to 14 feet 505 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:58,520 FÉLICIE: Oh my God. This must be the biggest hammerhead I've ever seen. 506 00:26:03,600 --> 00:26:05,920 NARRATOR: In the Bahamas, the Shark Lab team is 507 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:08,480 diving deep on the ocean floor. 508 00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:11,680 To observe the social interactions of migrating hammerheads. 509 00:26:12,360 --> 00:26:14,280 MATT: Just have a new hammerhead 510 00:26:14,360 --> 00:26:17,200 NARRATOR: Out of the blue, a new gang member appears. 511 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:22,040 FÉLICIE: Oh my God. This must be the biggest hammerhead I've ever seen 512 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:26,400 There she comes again, guys 513 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:34,440 For a shark that size, we're going to have to give her a really good name 514 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:39,520 We should call this one Maia, for the Goddess of mountains 515 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:46,080 MATT: She’s huge, but she’s a bit shy 516 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:49,400 FÉLICIE: Yeah, she hasn't been very close to us 517 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:52,800 She seems like she's not really familiar with the setup, she's figuring it out 518 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:56,680 MATT: Yeah, the other sharks are a lot more bold and they know what's going on 519 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:00,400 FÉLICIE: She disappeared into the blue 520 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:08,040 MATT: It was an awesome dive. Let’s head to the surface 521 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:14,280 CHESSIE: That was awesome. 522 00:27:14,360 --> 00:27:15,280 There’s nothing like being in the water 523 00:27:15,360 --> 00:27:17,320 with great hammerhead sharks. 524 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:20,440 NARRATOR: Onboard, the team discuss their latest discovery, 525 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:25,120 that these hammerheads may be far more social than expected. 526 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:26,840 MATT: As the behavior expert, 527 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:28,080 what did you think of down there? 528 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:31,120 FÉLICIE: Oh, I thought that was really, really fascinating. 529 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:35,520 There is obviously a hierarchy between the different groups of sharks. 530 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:37,680 And the difference between those great hammerheads 531 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:39,000 is really stunning. 532 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:40,960 Really, there's some, they're super bold about it, 533 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:44,840 and others that are a bit more shy. 534 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:46,760 MATT: Being able to spend multiple years in a row with 535 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:49,200 the same individuals is where you really start to get to 536 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:52,040 understand their individual personality and 537 00:27:52,120 --> 00:27:54,720 start to respect the fact that within that group 538 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:56,240 there might be a hierarchy. 539 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:59,360 NARRATOR: Scientists previously thought that social hierarchy 540 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:02,560 amongst sharks was strictly based on size, 541 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:04,680 but the behavior of this gigantic, 542 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:09,160 14-foot hammerhead, now challenges this theory. 543 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:12,920 MATT (off-screen): She's the biggest hammerhead that we've had in Bimini to date. 544 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:15,800 But even though she's massive, she's actually a bit timid. 545 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:17,520 She's not just throwing her weight around. 546 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:18,960 She's coming in trying to figure out 547 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:21,400 her positioning in this group. 548 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:23,520 It really makes you understand that it's not 549 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:26,000 always the size of the shark in the fight, 550 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:29,120 but really a lot of times the size of the fight in that shark. 551 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:32,920 How bold they are and how much they're driven to want to be 552 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:35,040 the leader of that group. 553 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:38,320 NARRATOR: The Shark Lab’s pioneering research suggests 554 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:42,480 that sharks are far more social than previously thought. 555 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:45,920 But here, in Florida, there are scientists who believe 556 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:51,680 that sharks form gangs for more than just friendship. 557 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:55,480 Shark behavioral expert, Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou, 558 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:59,000 is at one of the world’s most spectacular natural events, 559 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:01,080 the Mullet Run. 560 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:04,520 Searching for evidence that sharks form gangs to 561 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:06,680 strengthen their hunting skills. 562 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:09,720 YANNIS: Seasonally we have very large numbers of mullet 563 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:11,720 forming these huge groups. 564 00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:14,440 This attracts a lot of predators, 565 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:20,480 including sharks, but the main species you’re probably going 566 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:23,680 to see are some of the black tips. 567 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:27,000 NARRATOR: Black tips are extremely agile sharks. 568 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:30,680 They strike schools of fish with such velocity and force, 569 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:33,840 they fly clean out of the water. 570 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:36,960 And where better to show off these deadly skills 571 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:39,040 than during the mullet run. 572 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:42,160 YANNIS (off-screen): They perform seasonal migrations and they come down 573 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:43,920 here in such vast numbers, 574 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:46,640 up to 10,000 along the beaches here. 575 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:48,960 They are mostly eating fish, but they are probably 576 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:53,840 responsible for a fair number of accidental bites on humans. 577 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:56,920 NARRATOR: Florida is infamous for shark attacks. 578 00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:01,600 In 2020, there were 16 unprovoked shark bites in this state, 579 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:05,120 nearly half of all attacks in the country. 580 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:09,280 Local boat captain Greg Bogdan knows first-hand that these 581 00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:11,640 attacks often involve black tips, 582 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:15,720 and oblivious tourists caught in the mullet run mayhem. 583 00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:17,440 GREG: So as the fish are coming down the beach, 584 00:30:17,520 --> 00:30:19,280 the big predators are pushing them closer and 585 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:20,600 closer to the beach. 586 00:30:20,680 --> 00:30:22,920 And you get these people that have no idea and they swim out 587 00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:25,720 and there’s sharks just crashing everywhere. 588 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:27,000 And there’s people out there, 589 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:30,720 literally in the middle of a monster feeding frenzy. 590 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:33,480 YANNIS: So, they’re hunting right next to shore? 591 00:30:33,560 --> 00:30:36,520 GREG: Oh, yeah. There’s a whole series of reef that runs along the beach here 592 00:30:36,600 --> 00:30:38,520 and kind of bottle necks all the bait. 593 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:40,360 YANNIS: So, the mullet can’t get any deeper. 594 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:42,360 They’re right on the beach. 595 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:45,280 The reef is really helping the predators out. 596 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:48,440 NARRATOR: Today, Yannis wants to witness the mullet run for himself, 597 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:50,520 and observe whether these black tips are 598 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:55,840 deliberately forming gangs to optimize these perfect hunting conditions. 599 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:57,680 YANNIS: I’m really interested in whether these animals are 600 00:30:57,760 --> 00:30:59,040 actually hunting together. 601 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:02,920 True cooperation is where everybody has a specific job 602 00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:04,440 and works together. 603 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:07,160 Orcas for example will create a barrel wave 604 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:09,160 to knock seals off the ice. 605 00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:11,040 It’s much more cryptic with sharks. 606 00:31:11,120 --> 00:31:14,680 It could just be that you have this big lump of food and 607 00:31:14,760 --> 00:31:15,680 everybody just turns up. 608 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:17,840 It doesn’t mean they’re hunting together. 609 00:31:17,920 --> 00:31:20,120 NARRATOR: Conditions are far too dangerous to enter 610 00:31:20,200 --> 00:31:22,400 the water during the feeding frenzy. 611 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:26,200 So Yannis sends up a drone, to get a bird’s eye view of 612 00:31:26,280 --> 00:31:30,880 whether these black tips are working together to hunt. 613 00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:34,640 YANNIS: We have a pretty nice school of mullet here. 614 00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:38,920 You can see how many sharks there are off shore, hundreds. 615 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:41,480 The fish don’t really have the option of going to deeper water, 616 00:31:41,560 --> 00:31:43,320 they’ve been boxed in. 617 00:31:43,400 --> 00:31:47,440 NARRATOR: Now that the mullet are cornered the hunt begins. 618 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:49,560 YANNIS: That sharks just accelerated into the group. 619 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:51,920 From here it looks like it could be a black tip. 620 00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:55,280 You can see that halo around the sharks as they move along, 621 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:57,320 so the fish are getting out of their way. 622 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:00,600 NARRATOR: But this stealthy black tip is not alone, 623 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:03,640 his friends are along for the kill. 624 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:05,120 YANNIS (off-screen): Now we’ve got more sharks coming in, 625 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:07,880 got one, two, four, five, six. 626 00:32:11,440 --> 00:32:13,320 There, now they’re getting it! 627 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,440 NARRATOR: Off the coast of Florida, near Miami, 628 00:32:20,520 --> 00:32:23,720 Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou is watching a swarm of 629 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:27,600 black tip sharks feeding on thousands of migrating fish. 630 00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:29,000 YANNIS (off-screen): Now we’ve got more sharks coming, 631 00:32:29,080 --> 00:32:32,000 got one, two, four, five, six. 632 00:32:32,080 --> 00:32:35,760 NARRATOR: He’s trying to work out if these predators are working alone, 633 00:32:35,840 --> 00:32:38,760 or if they are deliberately forming gangs and 634 00:32:38,840 --> 00:32:41,000 cooperating to hunt their prey. 635 00:32:41,080 --> 00:32:42,320 YANNIS (off-screen): There, now they’re getting hit! 636 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:57,240 ♪ ♪ 637 00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:05,880 GREG: Some of them are using the waves to kind of 638 00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:07,040 group the mullet. 639 00:33:07,120 --> 00:33:09,520 YANNIS: Yeah. Yeah. 640 00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:19,920 ♪ ♪ 641 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:26,880 NARRATOR: Although dozens of black tips are attacking the 642 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:30,040 mullet in the waves, Yannis isn’t convinced that the 643 00:33:30,120 --> 00:33:32,480 sharks are deliberately hunting together 644 00:33:32,560 --> 00:33:34,200 in a coordinated way. 645 00:33:34,280 --> 00:33:37,320 YANNIS (off-screen): A lot of it could be simple social foraging. 646 00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:40,280 Social foraging is simply when individuals hunt 647 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:42,840 in a group together. 648 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:45,480 It does not mean that they’re cooperating with each other. 649 00:33:45,560 --> 00:33:46,680 It could be much simpler than that. 650 00:33:46,760 --> 00:33:48,840 It could just be, I chase some fish, 651 00:33:48,920 --> 00:33:50,480 the fish escapes from me, 652 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:52,040 but swims straight into somebody else. 653 00:33:52,120 --> 00:33:53,600 Who then gets it. 654 00:33:53,680 --> 00:33:57,600 Now overtime that should benefit everybody. 655 00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:02,280 If these animals hunt in a group everybody’s success goes up. 656 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:05,320 NARRATOR: Scientists are convinced sharks form gangs 657 00:34:05,400 --> 00:34:07,440 for a variety of reasons. 658 00:34:07,520 --> 00:34:11,200 Protection, friendship and to boost their hunting success. 659 00:34:12,640 --> 00:34:16,280 But in the Indian Ocean, could there be evidence that sharks 660 00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:20,800 are working together to co-ordinate their attacks, on humans. 661 00:34:22,760 --> 00:34:27,400 With a staggering 23 attacks and ten fatalities since 2011. 662 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:31,000 Reunion Island, off the coast of Madagascar, 663 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:34,000 is known as the, "Shark Bite Capital," 664 00:34:34,080 --> 00:34:36,520 of the world. 665 00:34:36,600 --> 00:34:39,920 The species responsible for many of these human attacks 666 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:42,080 is the bull shark. 667 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:47,320 Earning an infamous reputation as an aggressive, deadly shark. 668 00:34:49,600 --> 00:34:53,560 Now a sinister incident is striking fear into beachgoers 669 00:34:53,640 --> 00:34:56,240 across the Indian Ocean. 670 00:34:56,320 --> 00:35:00,640 Eyewitnesses report, a man being attacked. 671 00:35:00,720 --> 00:35:02,400 MAN (over radio): Oh my God! 672 00:35:02,480 --> 00:35:05,480 NARRATOR: By more than one bull shark at a time. 673 00:35:07,440 --> 00:35:11,280 Could one of the ocean’s deadliest predators be 674 00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:14,440 working together to hunt in a pack? 675 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:18,600 In the Bahamas, Bull Shark expert 676 00:35:18,680 --> 00:35:22,280 Matt Smukall, examines this hypothesis. 677 00:35:22,360 --> 00:35:26,600 And believes there could be an alternative explanation. 678 00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:27,760 MATT: Because there’s going to be 679 00:35:27,840 --> 00:35:29,160 multiple bull sharks in the same area, 680 00:35:29,240 --> 00:35:32,120 sometimes people assume that they are hunting in a pack. 681 00:35:32,200 --> 00:35:35,680 I personally think each individual is listening for 682 00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:37,280 these cues in the environment, 683 00:35:37,360 --> 00:35:40,440 like a smacking of a fish carcass on the surface, 684 00:35:40,520 --> 00:35:42,520 because it means it's a food source for them. 685 00:35:42,600 --> 00:35:44,320 And what's good for one is probably good for 686 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:46,960 the three or four other sharks. 687 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:49,800 NARRATOR: Today, Matt and researcher Chessie Mason, 688 00:35:49,880 --> 00:35:54,400 target a bull shark hotspot, to test Matt’s theory that 689 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:59,720 bull sharks are not hunting in packs but are feeding individually. 690 00:35:59,800 --> 00:36:00,720 MATT (off-screen): All right, Chessie. 691 00:36:00,800 --> 00:36:02,960 Let's just keep an eye out for any bull sharks and 692 00:36:03,040 --> 00:36:06,760 start getting some of our gear ready. 693 00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:10,640 CHESSIE: We're at a place where bull sharks tend to congregate. 694 00:36:10,720 --> 00:36:13,840 They've got very used to associating fish carcasses 695 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:15,880 that have fallen into the marina from fishermen 696 00:36:15,960 --> 00:36:18,160 with an easy meal. 697 00:36:18,240 --> 00:36:19,520 MATT: You’re going to be, 698 00:36:19,600 --> 00:36:21,560 kind of the eyes up here at the surface. 699 00:36:21,640 --> 00:36:23,880 So just really pay attention to what’s going on and where 700 00:36:23,960 --> 00:36:25,400 the sharks are coming from. 701 00:36:27,080 --> 00:36:28,920 We're going to start throwing small pieces of fish into 702 00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:30,760 the water and see if the bull sharks will be 703 00:36:30,840 --> 00:36:33,120 drawn in and how they respond. 704 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:36,440 Do multiple bull sharks respond to that one piece of bait? 705 00:36:36,520 --> 00:36:38,440 Is there a pack mentality? 706 00:36:38,520 --> 00:36:40,440 NARRATOR: Acting alone or in a pack, 707 00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:41,960 the bull shark is considered 708 00:36:42,040 --> 00:36:44,640 the world’s most dangerous shark. 709 00:36:44,720 --> 00:36:49,080 As they’ve adapted to swim in shallow waters near humans. 710 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:51,920 MATT (off-screen): It's never recommended to swim in a place that sharks 711 00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:54,760 have started to associate with free food. 712 00:36:54,840 --> 00:36:59,400 The safest way to be able to observe these sharks is to get in a cage, 713 00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:01,400 so we don’t have to worry about watching our back. 714 00:37:02,360 --> 00:37:03,320 All right, Chessie. 715 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:05,080 Let's start throwing some bait in the water. 716 00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:16,200 MATT (off-screen): Bull sharks, when you see them in the water, 717 00:37:16,280 --> 00:37:17,920 you know exactly why they got that name. 718 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:22,560 They're huge, their powerful, they’re just full of muscle. 719 00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:26,960 NARRATOR: Bull sharks charge their prey with their giant-sized heads, 720 00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:30,440 but they’ve got an even more lethal weapon. 721 00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:32,720 MATT (off-screen): Bull sharks have one of the more powerful bites 722 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:34,280 in the shark world. 723 00:37:34,360 --> 00:37:36,680 They have these big rows of teeth designed to grab and 724 00:37:36,760 --> 00:37:38,640 eat fish whole. 725 00:37:40,160 --> 00:37:41,120 CHESSIE: This is pretty incredible. 726 00:37:41,200 --> 00:37:44,720 We've actually got 12 different bull sharks here, maybe more. 727 00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:45,720 MATT: I think this is our chance. 728 00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:47,160 You keep an eye from up here. 729 00:37:54,200 --> 00:38:01,000 ♪ ♪ 730 00:38:11,440 --> 00:38:14,800 NARRATOR: In the Bahamas, marine biologist Matt Smukall 731 00:38:14,880 --> 00:38:16,800 and researcher Chessie Mason, 732 00:38:16,880 --> 00:38:20,840 entice bull sharks into a marina using bait. 733 00:38:20,920 --> 00:38:23,480 To observe whether or not they work together 734 00:38:23,560 --> 00:38:25,360 and hunt in a gang. 735 00:38:26,640 --> 00:38:30,840 Now Matt enters the water during feeding time. 736 00:38:45,720 --> 00:38:47,320 (oxygen tank hissing) 737 00:38:47,880 --> 00:38:50,280 MATT: It’s just an amazing opportunity to be down here 738 00:38:50,360 --> 00:38:53,680 We’ve have twelve bull sharks, circling around the cage 739 00:38:55,200 --> 00:38:58,760 Nice, big mature sharks, probably 8 to 9 feet 740 00:38:59,600 --> 00:39:02,040 They don’t even notice I’m in the water with them 741 00:39:02,120 --> 00:39:04,920 I can actually understand what they’re doing naturally 742 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:06,480 and how they behave with each other 743 00:39:11,520 --> 00:39:14,360 The two sharks come in for that same piece of bait 744 00:39:14,440 --> 00:39:16,800 They sense each other. One will turn away 745 00:39:16,880 --> 00:39:18,920 while the other takes that piece of bait 746 00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:21,880 CHESSIE: One of the sharks got the piece of food, 747 00:39:21,960 --> 00:39:23,680 and the others kind of recognized that and 748 00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:26,520 they all kind of dispersed. 749 00:39:26,600 --> 00:39:28,560 These sharks are incredibly intelligent, 750 00:39:28,640 --> 00:39:30,560 when I throw a piece of bait in you can see 751 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:31,760 them react instantly. 752 00:39:32,280 --> 00:39:34,320 MATT: As those sharks are splashing at the surface, 753 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:36,360 that’s more noise and more excitement 754 00:39:36,440 --> 00:39:40,080 that’s slowly drawing a couple more bull sharks into this area 755 00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:44,000 NARRATOR: As the sharks pick off the pieces of bait, 756 00:39:44,080 --> 00:39:46,800 Matt observes that unlike the hammerheads, 757 00:39:46,880 --> 00:39:50,920 the hierarchy of these bull sharks is based mainly on size. 758 00:39:53,960 --> 00:39:56,680 MATT: Some of the bigger sharks are hanging up towards the surface 759 00:39:57,120 --> 00:39:58,960 and a couple of the smaller bulls 760 00:39:59,040 --> 00:40:02,280 are kind of hanging out on the perimeter, looking for their opportunity 761 00:40:02,720 --> 00:40:04,920 It's more of maybe a size dominance thing 762 00:40:05,000 --> 00:40:06,800 where a couple of these big females 763 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:09,880 are the ones that these smaller sharks are trying to avoid 764 00:40:11,240 --> 00:40:14,640 NARRATOR: In the bull shark pecking order size counts, 765 00:40:14,720 --> 00:40:18,200 but Matt isn’t convinced they’re cooperating with each other. 766 00:40:25,880 --> 00:40:30,480 MATT: So it doesn’t seem like there’s one particular shark that’s controlling everything 767 00:40:31,880 --> 00:40:33,800 They’re not hunting in a pack 768 00:40:33,880 --> 00:40:38,320 They’re individuals looking for that piece of bait on its own 769 00:40:39,160 --> 00:40:40,440 It’s actually what we thought 770 00:40:48,600 --> 00:40:50,680 CHESSIE: How was it? MATT: It’s amazing. 771 00:40:50,760 --> 00:40:53,560 Such a nice spot to be able to observe their natural behavior 772 00:40:53,640 --> 00:40:56,840 and how they’re interacting with each other. 773 00:40:57,440 --> 00:41:01,200 NARRATOR: Matt’s dive reveals that bull sharks feed independently. 774 00:41:01,280 --> 00:41:05,960 He also believes they’re unlikely to form gangs to attack people. 775 00:41:06,040 --> 00:41:08,520 MATT(off-screen): Bull sharks have this unfair reputation as a 776 00:41:08,600 --> 00:41:11,000 mindless predator and that's completely not true. 777 00:41:11,080 --> 00:41:13,800 CHESSIE: They were all pretty chilled with each other. 778 00:41:13,880 --> 00:41:16,560 MATT: Because of the habitat that they're in, 779 00:41:16,640 --> 00:41:19,040 they have a high chance of overlapping with humans. 780 00:41:19,120 --> 00:41:21,600 They go into murky water, they go in near shore. 781 00:41:21,680 --> 00:41:24,600 While there are unfortunately attacks in those areas, 782 00:41:24,680 --> 00:41:28,520 most likely it's mistaken identity. 783 00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:32,800 And when there's a report of multiple sharks involved. 784 00:41:32,880 --> 00:41:35,080 It's probably, because they're actually competing for food 785 00:41:35,160 --> 00:41:36,680 rather than working together. 786 00:41:36,760 --> 00:41:39,320 NARRATOR: Experts believe sharks form gangs for 787 00:41:39,400 --> 00:41:42,840 protection and friendship, but they’re yet to be convinced 788 00:41:42,920 --> 00:41:47,360 that these predators work together to coordinate attacks. 789 00:41:47,440 --> 00:41:52,080 But in California could the ocean’s most feared predator 790 00:41:52,160 --> 00:41:54,200 be hunting in gangs? 791 00:41:54,280 --> 00:41:56,480 EMILY: Oh, there they are! 792 00:41:56,560 --> 00:41:59,400 CHRIS: Yamilla is deploying what we call a BRUV, 793 00:41:59,480 --> 00:42:03,360 which is a baited, remote, underwater video survey. 794 00:42:03,440 --> 00:42:05,360 Five years ago, we wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing 795 00:42:05,440 --> 00:42:09,680 now and for the first time we’ve made great strides. 796 00:42:09,760 --> 00:42:12,160 NARRATOR: Using cutting edge underwater surveillance, 797 00:42:12,240 --> 00:42:16,120 the Shark Lab team is now building a clearer picture of 798 00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:18,640 why gangs of great white sharks are 799 00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:21,960 attracted to these Californian waters. 800 00:42:22,040 --> 00:42:26,000 CHRIS: So originally, we were using it as a tool to identify individuals. 801 00:42:26,080 --> 00:42:31,360 But we can also use them to measure how many prey we see in that area. 802 00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:34,640 NARRATOR: Using the cameras, Chris discovers that this area 803 00:42:34,720 --> 00:42:37,800 is a perfect hunting ground for juvenile white sharks 804 00:42:37,880 --> 00:42:39,600 of different ages. 805 00:42:39,680 --> 00:42:41,640 CHRIS: We have newborns, we have one-year old’s, 806 00:42:41,720 --> 00:42:43,120 two-year-old’s, three-year-old’s, four-year-old’s, 807 00:42:43,200 --> 00:42:47,640 probably up to six years old all hanging out here. 808 00:42:47,720 --> 00:42:50,880 We have really young ones here with more mature ones, 809 00:42:50,960 --> 00:42:52,400 who are learning the ropes. 810 00:42:52,480 --> 00:42:55,360 And it’s very possible that they are watching other sharks 811 00:42:55,440 --> 00:42:58,360 successfully dig out and locate sting rays and 812 00:42:58,440 --> 00:43:01,360 then are mimicking that behavior. 813 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:04,960 NARRATOR: So, could this be the major breakthrough? 814 00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:10,840 Are these gangs of great whites learning to hunt from each other? 815 00:43:10,920 --> 00:43:14,120 CHRIS: What we know is certain individuals will hang out together 816 00:43:14,200 --> 00:43:16,240 and tend mimic each other. 817 00:43:16,320 --> 00:43:18,640 And that’s the first indication that we have that 818 00:43:18,720 --> 00:43:20,640 there’s a communication. 819 00:43:20,720 --> 00:43:24,280 It is very possible that these sharks are hanging out together 820 00:43:24,360 --> 00:43:27,000 and creating some sort of bond. 821 00:43:27,080 --> 00:43:31,160 We’re finding that they are far more social than we’ve ever thought. 822 00:43:31,240 --> 00:43:34,400 NARRATOR: If sharks are communicating, 823 00:43:34,480 --> 00:43:40,160 learning from one another, maybe even hunting together. 824 00:43:44,240 --> 00:43:48,160 Then perhaps the ocean’s most feared predators, 825 00:43:48,240 --> 00:43:55,120 could be combining forces, in a bid to rule the deep. 826 00:43:59,160 --> 00:44:01,160 Captioned by Cotter Media Group.