Local Heroes Making Waves:
This Shark Week, we journey alongside South African heroes who are not just making waves, but also dedicating their lives to shark conservation and research, showcasing their unwavering dedication and inspiring commitment.
Join Zandile Ndhlovu, South Africa’s Black Mermaid in Monster Hammerheads: Species X, premiering Tuesday, 16 July at 18:10 CAT, as she dives with Dr Austin Gallagher in the Turks and Caicos, investigating a potentially new species of aggressive Hammerhead sharks. Zandile also joins Dr Gallagher’s team in Belly of the Beast: Bigger and Bloodier on Sunday, 21 July at 17:15 CAT where they study massive great whites in New Zealand.
"Joining Monster Hammerheads: Species X was an incredible opportunity to combine my passion for freediving and showcasing the beauty and diversity of sharks," says Zandile, South Africa’s first Black female freediving instructor and founder of the Black Mermaid Foundation. "I hope to inspire others, especially young girls from underrepresented communities, to connect with the ocean and become advocates for its protection."
In 6000-LB. Shark, premiering on Saturday, 20 July at 18:10 CAT, Leigh de Necker, Marine Biologist, teams up with Tom "The Blowfish" Hird to track down massive Great White Sharks off the coast of New Zealand, using cutting-edge science to weigh them and analyse their diet.
"Filming 6,000-LB Shark for Discovery Shark Week 2024 in New Zealand was truly one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life," says Leigh. "To witness these magnificent creatures in their element, surrounded by five, six, even seven at a time, was awe-inspiring. These weren't just any sharks; we're talking chunky animals between 3.5 and 5.5 meters in size! My marine biologist brain was in overdrive! Why were there so many sharks? Why were some so large? What were they feeding on? Could any be our South African sharks? This experience has deepened my fascination with these incredible creatures and fuelled my passion for their conservation."
Witness groundbreaking research in Great White Danger Zone on Monday, 15 July, at 17:15 CAT, as Dr Alison Towner, Shark Scientist, and her team investigate a new Great White hotspot off the South African coast, uncovering unusual behaviours in these apex predators.
"Southern African white sharks are currently a subject of intense mystery. Human activities and killer whale predation have drastically shifted their habitat use in this region. Great White Danger Zone investigates how white sharks are adapting to these changes at the southern tip of Africa,” commented Dr Alison. “It also provided an opportunity for me to collaborate again with Dr Oliver Jewell from the University of Western Australia, with whom I spent over 800 hours tracking white sharks around Gansbaai, in the Western Cape, in the decade before these ecological shifts occurred. This work underscores the urgent need for resources to support white shark research in this region, as these displacements redefine our global understanding of coastal ecosystems, particularly when apex predators vanish."
Celebrating 20 Years of Shark Conservation:
In 1991, South Africa became the first country to protect great white sharks. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Shark Spotters are a pioneering organisation dedicated to shark conservation, research, and education in South Africa. Their innovative and sustainable approach to reducing human-shark conflict has gained global attention and evolved to uncover key insights into the movements and behaviour of white sharks alongside researchers, including Dr Alison Towner.
“As Shark Spotters celebrates its twentieth year, we recognise the excitement and wonder that sharks inspire in people, especially during Discovery Channel's Shark Week," says Sarah Waries, CEO of Shark Spotters. "Our work aims to ensure the sustainable coexistence of people and sharks in our oceans, conserve these important animals, protect the marine environment, and create responsible ocean users. We look forward to sharing this with the world during Shark Week."
Don't Miss a Moment of the Action:
In addition to the programmes featuring local South African shark experts, the highly anticipated annual week-long celebration of sharks will include the next chapter of the hit show Belly of the Beast, which offers a fascinating look at a Great White shark feeding frenzy, and Deadliest Bite, which delves deep into how a shark’s jaws and teeth deliver lethal attacks! Shark Week starts Monday, 15 July, on Discovery Channel Africa (DStv channel 121).
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