Wild Shark Recognizes Human Best Friend After They Were Separated For A Year | The Dodo Soulmates

This wild tiger shark, Emma, has been greeting her favorite diver, Jim, for 20 years — and after the pandemic separated them, she was SO excited to see him again 💙🦈

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[damianschexnaydre]

Just like how the other divers told Jim “Emma is here” I bet other sharks swam up to Emma and said “JIMS HERE” and she got excited

[ID-]

Emma is a well-known shark scientist. She's currently finishing her 25 years study of humans in water.

[FireCracker-vdpq]

I love how the other sharks totally behave when he's interacting with Emma. It's like she warned them before hand: "Look, Jim's coming over and I expect you to all be on your best behavior".

[joekinnear]

SHE BLINKS AT that is some of the biggest evidence of recognition and trust! Sharks do lid their eyes right before biting, but she is unbelievably docile and seeks out physical touch with the diver! That's the cutest thing I've ever seen.

edit: okay. sure. Sharks don't communicate with their eyes. but its undeniable that she's looking to be pet with how she interacts with the researcher.

[jaystacular]

I love that humans will pet just about anything.

“Yep! Who’s a good boy/girl? You are! Yes you are!” **pat pat rub pat**

[igknightor]

Animals after being pet: “You know, this is pretty nice”

[lorenac]

The way she closes her eyes while being petted like a cat

[rustyshackelford]

Humans will continue the quest of befriending every animal

[lilivonshtup]

I have never seen a shark with such an expressive face. Extraordinary.

[ifstatementifstatement]

This has got to be the friendliest looking shark I’ve ever seen.

[Ant-bmqk]

Idk how else to say this but she has a very friendly face…

There is something about the way she looks, she doesn’t look scary.

[Nick-hmdm]

Yo! At like 3:00 min, Emma approaches him and his hand is down and he doesn’t even attempt to try to redirect her and she just comes up, not to investigate, but to be by him. The amount of trust both ways is just amazing. Awesome.

And obviously she has to keep moving to breath. I wonder how she would like it if he swam next to her. I wonder if it it would be threatening or territorial behavior she would display or like “hey friend, let’s go for a walk”.

[tsa]

I have to say, there's something universal about head pats or petting on the head. Every animal I've seen enjoy it always have the same look in their eyes, they always close their eyes giving a happy look. So wholesome :D

[theplanethaskimnamjoon]

Animals can really remember the kindness you've showed them.

[DezvaluireaTheUnraveling]

It sometimes amazes me how the human race can turn almost any deadly animal into a dog with enough head pats and chin scratches.

[Metal-Nine]

Interspecies communication on an emotional level has to be one of lifes greatest gifts. Beautiful.

[Lucaz]

This is a tiger shark, one of the most “dangerous” species of sharks out there. Absolutely beautiful.

[JVIPER]

Meanwhile, this shark is doing news reports on his interactions with humans:
"Most of us sharks think of humans as mindless, delicious snacks that don't swim well. But after spending years attempting to befriend one, I have discovered that they actually have feelings. And given enough time, they will begin to trust you. It is unclear whether or not this indicates actual "intelligence", but they are certainly sentient creatures, and not just snacks."

[ejrilling]

Looks like Emma is applying Bruce’s mantra but to humans.
“Humans are friends not food!”

[AlanLienhard]

I love how having hands and thumbs, thus being able to pet others good gives us like Charm +100