SHARKS QUEUE UP FOR BELLY RUBS AND HEAD PATS
WITH PIX AND VID
By Shuk Yee Tsang
A professional underwater photographer has captured remarkable footage of sharks cruising close for head pats and even belly rubs during close encounters in the open ocean.
Ken Kiefer, 56, from Texas, USA, filmed the interactions around 30 miles offshore from Grand Bahama in the Bahamas. He has been diving with and filming sharks for more than 20 years.
The videos show large sharks calmly circling divers before gliding in close enough for them to softly stroke the tops of their heads and, at times, rub their undersides as they pass.
Several sharks regularly return to the site and are recognised by name, including Tequila, Stephanie and Emma.
Despite how unusual it may look to some viewers, Ken says moments like these reflect years of understanding shark behaviour and feeling comfortable in their presence.
Ken said: “I may be a little twisted to the average person, but I'm pretty stoked when the sharks get a little riled up and energetic.
“Extensive experience is a great help, and the Dolphin Dream gives a great briefing to let everyone know the dos and don'ts.
“The only kind of rush hour I like is tiger shark rush hour.”
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