Photo: Al Carrera / iStock / Getty Images
A Mexican marine biologist, Dr. Mauricio Hoyos, is recovering after surviving a shark attack off the coast of Costa Rica. The attack occurred on Saturday (September 27) near Cocos Island National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its diverse marine life, including sharks. Hoyos, 48, was conducting research as part of the One Ocean Worldwide Coalition when he encountered a Galapagos shark.
According to Costa Rica’s Fire Department, the shark, approximately 13 feet long, bit Hoyos on the head, face, and arms while he was tagging species for monitoring. It took rescuers 36 hours to transport him from the remote island, located about 340 miles off the coast, to a hospital in the capital. Despite the severity of his injuries, Hoyos arrived in stable condition.
Luis Fernández, a physician with the Fire Department, explained that the shark had an enormous bite force.
“She turned sideways in my direction; it was really fast,” Dr. Hoyos said in an interview with the New York Times. “It was wide open; my whole head was inside of her mouth in less than a second.”
“But it was just pressure,” he explained. “As soon as she felt my skull, she released me. She opened and swam away.”
The For The Oceans Foundation praised the swift response of the rescuers, acknowledging their professionalism and dedication. They also highlighted Hoyos' significant contributions to ongoing research focused on shark conservation and ocean protection.