7-12-2024 (MALE) A leisurely snorkelling expedition in the Maldives took an unexpected turn for Brazilian travel influencer Lillian Taglieri when a nurse shark mistook her leg for prey, in an incident that has since captured global attention on social media.
The Perth-based content creator, who boasts over 120,000 Instagram followers, was swimming amongst approximately 50 sharks in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean archipelago when the encounter occurred. The resulting footage, which shows the moment of impact, has amassed more than 18 million views across various social platforms.
Recounting the incident, Taglieri explained that the bite occurred as she was extending her swim due to exceptional visibility conditions. “I had been in the water for about an hour and was preparing to return to the boat when I noticed how remarkably clear the water had become,” she said. “The shark likely mistook my leg for a fish.”
Despite the alarming nature of the encounter, Taglieri emerged with only minor injuries, sustaining a visible red bite mark on her leg. Marine biology experts note that nurse sharks, while typically docile bottom-dwellers found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, are indeed predatory creatures that primarily feed on small fish and marine invertebrates.
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