Bull Sharks, Thailand!

 Source.

Robin alerts me that the Bull Sharks may be back!

This is really good news.

Last time we spoke, there was a suspicion that those juvenile Bulls had been chased away from Chumphon by over-zealous divers - but then again, they may have simply become larger and left what appears to be their nursery area. 

Here they are in a great video from 2009.

Now, some Bulls are being seen at a nearby site. 

Below is the video of one of those encounters, and it very much looks like those are adults - maybe merely visiting in order to give birth to a new generation?

No I'm not going to reveal the exact location.
But if you want to encounter them, drop a mail to Sail Rock Divers on Koh Phangan (site of the infamous full moon parties), and they may take you there for a peek - hopefully without disturbing the animals!
The Bull Shark sequence starts at 04:25.

Enjoy!

Chumphon Pinnacle - the Video!

Juvenile Bull Shark at Chumphon Pinnacle. Source.

This is as unequivocal as it gets!
Forget the debate: the Sharks at 02:08 ff are most certainly not Grey Reefs!

I've also perused the paper by Juerg that states
The Chumphon Pinnacle sharks are most similar in external morphology to the bull shark and the pigeye shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis). From the latter, the bull shark differs in its lower, less erect first dorsal fin and higher, more erect second dorsal fin. Furthermore, the ratio of first:second dorsal height is 3:1 or less in Carcharhinus leucas, but over 3:1 in C. amboinensis.
Case closed.

Anyway, enjoy the video - very nice!



H/T: Robin!

Bad News from Chumphon Pinnacle!

That was then - likely a juvenile Bull Shark on Chumphon Pinnacle

Remember the pink website of Robin and Richard?

Alas, this may well be a thing of the past.
I just stumbled across this depressing blog post informing us that the Sharks have basically disappeared. I've never dived there but learn that Chumphon Pinnacle was one of the Gulf of Thailand's best dive sites, with the regular sighting of those Sharks being the big drawing card. Now the apparently still ongoing debate about the species will never be resolved - although I assert that the animals depicted are certainly not (!) Grey Reefs but very likely juvenile Bulls or alternatively, the very similar Pigeye Sharks that feature equally broad and slightly falcate first dorsal fins.

All very sad and alas, so very typical. :(
Or may it be as trivial as the Sharks having gone somewhere else due to the increased popularity and thus, the increased disturbance by divers?

Bullied back into diving!

Great title, marvelous article, great pics!
Thank you so much!

No wonder: the authors are all experienced Bull Shark aficionados.
Richard and Robin are the original discoverers of the juvenile Bull Shark aggregation at Chumphon Pinnacle and this was their first foray to Fiji. I must really say, rarely have we hosted such genuinely nice, unassuming and intelligent people, a true pleasure - which may also go a long ways to explaining why the staff were so eager to get Richard back into the water with the Sharks he so obviously loves!

fltr: Papa, Richard, Tumbi!

Lill is of course our multi-awarded honorary Viking staff photographer, once again showcasing her photographic prowess - and the advantages of being allowed into the ominous pit! Talking of which, Robin, you are herewith being officially upgraded as well - conditions permitting! :)
Guys - you must come back! If present numbers are any indication, this year will again be phenomenal!

The article was first published in Diver but is now online at Divernet.
I must say that it is really spot on in depicting what we do and why - with one caveat, that being that BAD was not founded by Mike, but by James. Who just happens to be visiting, both for his birthday and for the running of the bulls! And for much needed and well deserved R&R after having worked nonstop for 142 days - talk about being crazy!

Once again, Vinaka Vakalevu!
We owe you big time!