(Ep. 114) Cristina Zenato on Her Journey Into Becoming an Underwater Conservationist and the "Mother of Sharks"

Cristina Zenato, aka "The Mother of Sharks" joins me on this episode to discuss her fascinating life journey that has led her to the Bahamas where she has befriended and frequently interacts with Caribbean reef sharks. She is a PADI Course Director, NSS-CDS Advanced Cave diving instructor, TDI Technical Instructor and specializes in shark diving and shark behavior. We discuss how she is one of the first in the world to have been able to induce a state of relaxation in the Caribbean Reef sharks through gentle touch. To the observer, this looks like the shark is falling asleep in her lap. Sharks know her and her touch and seem to seek the connection and contact. Witnessing this interaction, directly while diving with Cristina or remotely by watching her numerous contributions to television documentaries and reading about her work in magazines, has created a change in perception from the general public. It has helped dissolve misconceptions and preconceptions about sharks. Cristina and her sharks have become ambassadors for many other species and animals in the world. Through her work, she helps her sharks by removing hooks from their mouths and parasites. She helps scientists collect data to support research and has developed a Caribbean Reef Shark Diver Distinctive Specialty. Cristina is also constantly working on the exploration and record of caves, to determine their location, connection to the surrounding eco-systems and promoting their conservation. Follow Cristina: Cristinazenato.com IG: @cristinazenato LI: Cristina Zenato Vimeo: Cristina Zenato Email: czenato@gmail.com