Meet Cristina Zenato, "The Shark Listener"

It’s pretty much inarguable that sharks get a bad rap.

In a given year, a handful of humans are bitten by sharks, and of these, an even smaller number result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Flip the script, however, and sharks are far more likely to be the victims of "human attacks." Most data suggest about 100 MILLION sharks die each year due to intentional harvest, commercial by-catch or other human activity.

Yet despite this decidedly lop-sided relationship, many of us continue to fear sharks due to reports of shark bites that over-emphasize the aggressiveness of these sleek marine predators.

In this episode, Cristina Zenato -- a self-described "shark listener" -- talks about her and other ecologists' quest to understand how sharks behave, a view informed by countless positive interactions with them as a lifelong diver and researcher. She also discusses her role in the new giant-screen film, Shark Kingdom 3D, which is now playing at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater!

View a trailer of Shark Kingdom 3D at: https://youtu.be/YQndv-lBy1g?si=jJybdwvk1VQUKK7b

To purchase tickets to see the film at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater , visit https://tnaqua.org/imax

Learn more about Cristina's educational nonprofit, People of the Water, at http://pownonprofit.org/

Episode Cast

• Casey Phillips, host, senior communications specialist and shark admirer
• Cristina Zenato, ocean and cave explorer, shark behaviorist and ecologist, speaker, writer and conservationist

The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks.

Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.

Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at https://tnconservationist.org

Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.