A freediver in a marine sanctuary off the coast of Australia’s Byron Bay has shared the moment she enjoyed a swim with a gorgeous leopard shark.
“I came across this beautiful leopard shark at Nguthungulli Nature Reserve, also known as Julian Rocks, while freediving,” says Filipa Victoria who shared the stunning footage on Instagram.
“This special place sits at the convergence of tropical and temperate waters being home to a rich and vibrant ecosystem, making it one of the most unique dive sites in Australia,” she says. It is home to a thriving marine ecosystem with animals including grey nurse sharks, turtles, manta rays, eagle rays and more all spending time in its waters.
Leopard sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) are named for the smattering of dots across their bodies. Somewhat confusingly, the same species can also be known as zebra sharks because juveniles have striking brown and white stripes which transform into their leopard-like spots as they mature. Even more confusingly, there’s another shark species – a type of houndshark called Triakis semifasciata – that’s known as a leopard shark in the United States.
"Watching them glide so effortlessly through the water is mesmerising,” she says. “These gentle and docile sharks often rest on sandy bottoms, remaining still for long periods by actively pumping water over their gills, allowing them to breathe while stationary.”
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In summer, lots of these sharks can be found at Nguthungulli. “This seasonal aggregation is driven by the warm waters of the East Australian Current (EAC), which flows along the New South Wales coast, creating perfect conditions for them to feed, mate, socialise and rest,” she says.
Filipa adds that leopard sharks are her favourite species. "Witnessing these beautiful sharks in their natural habitat brings me so much joy,” she says. "It's an experience that highlights the magic and importance of protecting marine sanctuaries like Nguthungulli.”
Image and video credit: Filipa Victoria, instagram.com/filipavictoria
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