By Tim Binnall
A mesmerizing piece of footage captured by researchers in California shows what is believed to be the first-ever sighting of a newborn great white shark in the wild. The remarkable video, which came to light this week, was reportedly filmed last July by wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and biology doctoral student Phillip Sternes. While using a drone to observe a group of great white sharks off the coast of Santa Barbara, the pair noticed something rather unusual unfold in the water. Shortly after a "big, big shark" submerged itself and vanished from view, Sternes recalled to CBS News, "this little bitty thing comes up from that spot." The unexpected arrival turned out to be a shark pup which measured around five feet long and appeared to be entirely white.
The pair initially suspected that perhaps the creature was albino, Sternes explained, however a closer examination of the footage showed "the white layer was being shed from the body," which they theorize was the animal losing its "embryonic layer." Along with the diminutive size of the shark and the circumstances by which it seemingly suddenly appeared in the water, the pair postulate that it was a pup that had just recently been born. Should they be correct, it would constitute something of a historical observation when it comes to great white sharks as, Guana explained, "no one has ever been able to pinpoint where they are born, nor has anyone seen a newborn baby shark alive."
While the pair conceded that the creature could have had some kind of skin condition, they expressed considerable skepticism about such a scenario in light of what they observed in the water off the coast of Santa Barbara. That said, should that alternative explanation be the case, Sternes mused, "then that too is monumental because no such condition has ever been reported for these sharks." As one might imagine, the pair plan to continue their research at the location, which they suspect could be a birthing spot for great white sharks. If that is the case, Sterns said, "we would want lawmakers to step in and protect these waters" in light of the endangered nature of the species.