A shocking incident occurred on March 15, 2024, when a female snorkeler was attacked by a shark while on vacation in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha archipelago. The victim, 36-year-old Tayane Dalazen, a lawyer from São Paulo, was swimming with a group of snorkelers when the attack took place. Video footage captures the moment a nurse shark lunged at her, biting into her thigh.
In the harrowing clip, Dalazen can be seen struggling to free herself from the shark’s grip as it began to drag her underwater. Fortunately, Nego Noronha, a tour guide, intervened by striking the shark, which allowed Dalazen to escape. She described the frightening experience to the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, stating, “I felt him shaking my leg. I thought I couldn’t put my hand out because he might rip it off. Nego started punching the shark and it let go of me.”
Following the attack, Dalazen was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Her friend, a dermatological surgeon, provided initial care during the transport. Despite the severity of the situation, Dalazen sustained only superficial injuries, with no damage to the muscles or tendons in her leg. At the hospital, she received two stitches, a tetanus shot, and antibiotics.
Dalazen later shared images of the bite marks on her social media, turning a traumatic event into a moment of humor. “Will I have a scar? Yes. But I’ll be a surfer with a shark scar. I think it even gives me some prestige,” she remarked.
Dalazen explained that there was neither food nor blood in the water at the time of the attack. The area where the incident occurred is known to be a habitat for wild marine life. “We went into his habitat. It wasn’t a sudden attack. It was an accident,” she noted.
Interestingly, just before the incident, the same shark had reportedly bitten another swimmer’s shorts, raising concerns among the snorkelers. Brazil has recorded the highest number of shark attacks in South America, with incidents increasing in recent years due to heightened tourism and overfishing practices.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for caution when engaging with wildlife in their natural habitats. While Dalazen’s experience was terrifying, her recovery and perspective highlight the resilience of those who encounter unexpected challenges in nature.
