“Wow” shot of Great white shark captured on camera

Published on 14/12/2012 18:05

A photographer says he was astonished to capture a Great white shark leaping out of the water to devour its prey.

Photographer Tonya Herron, 39, from North Warnborough in Hampshire caught the above image of the 13-foot-long shark taking down a dog-sized fur seal in one swift move.

Other pictures show how a boat full of tourists and marine life scientists in False Bay off the coast of South Africa used a decoy - instead of a live seal - to encourage the great white to leap into the air and bear its teeth.

 “In my great white shark images you see natural seal predations, which I believe is nature at its best,” said Tonya.

 “The great white attacked from below. It swam up to grab it’s prey in its mouth and this is why you get the breach.

 “Afterwards you see a lot of splashing around as the shark chases the seal.

 “The seal tries to stay behind the sharks head as the shark cannot turn as quick, but this one was unlucky and got caught.

 “It was a wow moment.“

 Great white sharks are listed as being a vulnerable species by marine scientists.

They live in the deep ocean as well as near tropical coastlines so their precise numbers are unknown.

Tonya said: “Most of my friends thought I was totally mad shooting Great White Sharks.

 “But I love documenting the action and power of nature at work.

 “It’s like watching an action film in fast forward - If you blink, you miss it.”