Mexican marine biologist Dr. Mauricio Hoyos experienced a harrowing shark attack while working near Cocos Island, Costa Rica. As part of a scientific expedition tagging sharks, Hoyos encountered a 9-foot Galápagos shark that turned aggressively after being prodded. The shark lunged and bit his head, briefly engulfing it in its jaws.
Hoyos described hearing a cracking sound but was fortunate the bite was mostly pressure, as the shark released him quickly. Although his air hose was severed and he sustained multiple injuries, including punctures and lacerations to his scalp and face, he managed a slow ascent to the surface.
Medical teams transported him on a difficult 36-hour journey to San José, where he received surgery to close 27 wounds from the bite — one for each of the shark’s teeth. Despite the trauma, Hoyos remained in stable condition and spoke about the narrow escape from what could have been a fatal attack.
