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Orca Group SeriesIndependent ocean storytelling
Portrait of Cristina Zenato

Portrait: Orca Group Series interview still.

The person behind the conversation

Bio & achievements

Cristina Zenato is a shark behavioural ecologist and professional diver specialising in shark encounters, shark behaviour and technical diving, with a particular interest in cave exploration. Her conversation centres on years of patient observation and relationships with individual animals.

  • Shark specialist, professional diver and cave explorer
  • Founder of People of the Water

Meet the guest

Cristina Zenato

What 30 years with sharks taught Cristina Zenato

Cristina Zenato discusses long term observation, individual sharks, caves and the work behind apparently effortless underwater encounters.

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Knowing sharks as individuals

Shark behaviour

  • What repeated encounters can reveal about shark behaviour
  • Cristina’s experience working with sharks in the Bahamas
  • Where to explore People of the Water and her conservation work

In their own words

Why avoid treating all sharks as the same?

From Nick’s question: “what is the first thing you want them to understand about shark behavior?”

You don't need to be an ornithologist to know that not all birds can fly. Not all birds are colorful and not all birds can sing let's say to the human ear beautifully. And so it's the same thing with sharks.

Cristina uses birds as an analogy for the diversity of shark species. This is not guidance to approach or handle wildlife.

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