Today we returned our beloved car, Popo, at the Durban international airport and picked up VeeToo, an identical VW Polo Classic (hence the name V.2!).
We decided to stop by the Natal Shark Board again to see if a shark dissection was happening today. Luckily, it was about to begin in a few hours and after a very disappointing Indian lunch (Durban is supposed to have the largest Indian population outside of India and its Indian food is supposed to be excellent), we returned to see the presentation.
It started with a video explaining the numerous shark attacks of the 50's that led to the wide spread public fear of sharks and the eventual installation of shark nets. We were surprised to learn (and Gen was horrified) that shark nets don't actually prevent the shark from accessing beaches, but rather lures sharks towards the nets where food is also trapped (hence no need to go further).
Another interesting fact we learned was that shark attacks are most commonly a case of mistaken identity. Surfers wading on their surfboards look almost exactly like tortoises from below. Divers act and appear just like dolphins, another shark delicacy. And finally, swimmers treading water can be mistaken for seals, a shark's favorite meal. This mistaken identity is best demonstrated by the fact that no one has ever been eaten alive by a shark. It's almost always called a "shark attack", where the shark has taken an "exploratory" bite out of someone in order to determine if it is food or not. Research has shown that sharks do not find humans appetizing at all.
Overall, we walked away with a much greater appreciation for these incredible fish. How they have remained unchanged for thousands of years is a testament to just how well they are adapted to their environment, and the Natal Sharks Board is one of the only organizations of its kind dedicated to the preservation and understanding of these highly misunderstood creatures.
We then watched the dissection of a Dusky Shark, which was both fascinating and utterly revolting! The first organ that was removed was the liver, a giant dual-lobed organ that accounts for 25% of a shark's overall weight! The dissector removed the stomach and other organs as well, but the second most-fascinating organ was definitely the heart, which was incredibly small given the size of the fish. A very simple, tiny, two-chamber heart is all that a shark needs to pump blood throughout its entire body.
The presenter had a very good sense of humour, which made the presentation that much more enjoyable. And even though our stomachs were a bit uneasy by the end of the presentation, we were really, really glad we were able to check it out.
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