Latest news with #BertieGregory
Metro
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
‘I swim with sharks without a cage but I'm not an adrenaline junkie'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Great white sharks are widely regarded as one of the world's most terrifying predators… but Bertie Gregory is determined to rewrite the narrative. The 31-year-old National Geographic Explorer has seen it all. Whether working with Sir David Attenborough on his acclaimed Planet Earth series, facing down arctic conditions or getting up close and personal with a lion, the wildlife filmmaker's immense respect for the natural order is at the forefront of everything he does. So when his focus shifted to the population of great white sharks (of Jaws fame) at South Africa's Plettenberg Bay there was no question that he would try to meet them in the water, without the protection of a cage. When I ask Bertie why during a Zoom call ahead of the premiere of his TV documentary Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory, it's immediately evident this was far from a reckless decision, no matter how terrifying it sounds to the average person. He explains to Metro: 'So with many shark species using a cage is pointless. But there's some sharks, like great whites, that people traditionally have dived [to] using a cage. 'Now, a shark doesn't want to swim near a big metal box, so in order to make [them approach] you have to put a lot of bait into the water.' Here's where the catch (of the day) comes in. 'As soon as you do that, you're not filming the sharks behaving naturally, because the shark is attracted to the bait that wasn't there before. I'm all about filming natural behaviour so instead I chose not to use the cage,' he concludes. Bertie's quick to correct my assumption that this was an 'andrenaline junkie stunt', affirming: 'That's not what drives me,' and crediting an 'amazing team' who analyse the 'right conditions' to make it safe. If there's one message that rings out during our chat, it's that for sharks, humans are 'not on the menu'. Nonetheless, Bertie sheds some light on why fatal attacks may happen among humans and how to avoid them. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'Great white sharks attack people because of a case of mistaken identity,' he explains. 'So if you get in the water when the water is very clear, you don't behave like their prey, you don't let them sneak up on you, you're not going to be on the menu. That was really the key,' the animal lover shares. In his hot-heeled pursuit of a great white in his docu-series, he and his crew stumble across what he calls a 'shark cathedral', which in the documentary looks like dark cavern teaming with the creatures. '[It] felt like getting in a time machine and going back millions of years. There was this very narrow little alleyway that we were swimming down, then the cave revealed itself full of those big spotted, ragged-toothed sharks (aka Raggies),' he recalls with glee. The great white has, on average, 300 teeth, weigh between 4,000-7,000 pounds and are 16 to 20 feet in length with an estimated lifespan of 70 years. Their torpedo shaped bodies allow them to swim around 25km per hour, and even push 50km per hour in some circumstances. Although a fierce predator near the top of the food chain, great whites are categorised as a vulnerable species. Estimates predict there are somewhere between 3,000 to 6,000 great white sharks left worldwide. Their diet consists mainly of seals, fish and smaller shark species – humans are not considered prey. Per the Natural History Museum only 17% of unprovoked great white shark attacks have proved fatal since records began in 1580 – even though they have one of the highest bite forces of any living animal. Needless to say, encountering this shark species is not for the fainthearted. 'Raggies have a really terrifying mouth. They're full of hundreds of these needle-like sharp teeth that pour out of their mouth. There's something in the back of your head going: 'Hang on, there are loads of these terrifying mouths swimming around. Is this a good idea?'' he says. 'But actually, I know from experience and knowing my shark biology that we are not on the menu. So actually, it's just an amazing thing to witness. 'When we were swimming in that cave, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up not because I was scared, just because I was so in awe of seeing all these sharks together.' As someone who would choose the sofa over scuba gear any day, I can't get my head around it – but for Bertie, hanging out with sharks is far from the greatest danger he faces. 'The most dangerous animal we encounter on every shoot is always humans. To alter wild animal behaviour, we need to alter human behaviour, so I would say all my scariest encounters have always been with humans,' he says, adding that the 'physical environment' comes a close second. While Bertie might educate his viewers on the natural world, he also learnt a lot himself during filming, such as when he interacted with experts on great white sharks like Lacy Williams. Lacy informed him that far from being 'untouchable predators', the great white is not 'invincible'. In fact, at one point, we see some jaw-dropping footage of a killer whale annihilating a great white. Bertie has no doubt that the famed shark blockbuster Jaws (which came out 50 years ago) has a lot to do with our misconception of this species, even if he gracefully concedes it 'got us talking about sharks'. 'What's annoying to me is that 50 years on – now we know what we know – it is unacceptable to make a film where you paint sharks in the same light that they did before,' he says. 'Shame on the people that now make big blockbuster Hollywood movies demonising sharks. Let's move on. We need to be worried for sharks, not about sharks,' he condemns, reiterating that a thriving shark community is vital for a healthy ocean – and by extension the health of humans. Sharks face threats not only from killer whales but also from people, with their prey being over-hunted and their home being polluted. 'All I'd say is advocate for a healthy ocean. That can be anything from not throwing rubbish into the sea to voting for people that care about the oceans,' he says about everyday actions we can do. More Trending By the end of the documentary, his aim to dive with a great white remains unachieved due to poor conditions and the fact that the great white never enters diveable waters, but that hardly puts him off. 'Would you give it another go?' I ask. 'Oh yeah. It was perfect because it meant we had a really cool film and it means I've got an excuse to try all over again,' he responds without hesitation. View More » Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory is now streaming on Disney+ and airs today at 8pm on Nat Geo Wild Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. 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Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I made a whole documentary tracking down a great white shark to swim with - here's why when I finally found one I had to give up my dream
Bertie Gregory's new documentary follows him as he tries to track down a great white shark to swim with. Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory sees the wildlife filmmaker and his team head to South Africa. They hope to dive and record great white sharks hunting seals, without the protection of a cage. Throughout the show, Bertie gets up close with a range of underwater animals including southern right whales and spotted ragged tooth sharks. However, the National Geographic explorer comes across unexpected hurdles in his search for a great white shark. Bertie revealed to MailOnline he thought it would be 'straightforward' to locate one of the most feared sea creatures. They hope to dive and record great white sharks hunting seals, without the protection of a cage 'I thought this was going to be our most straightforward Animals Up Close sort of episode in this season,' he said. 'We're in the third season, and we've done a lot of very challenging things and I thought this was going to be a slam dunk, super easy.' During the show, Bertie and his team eventually manage to locate a great white after much difficulty, swimming in the shallows of a beach. Though they finally get up close to the shark, the 'churned up surf' means the conditions are 'too dangerous' for them to dive with it. 'We had this amazing team there that dived with a lot of great white sharks there before,' he explained. 'The previous few years, the sharks would turn up like clockwork at that time of year, down the seals, and we turned up and Pat, our boat captain, was like, 'Yeah, so we haven't seen a shark yet this year, and the season has been running for two months'.' Bertie admitted: 'I was literally expecting to see several sharks per day for the month or so that we had filming there and that wasn't the case.' Reflecting on his search, Bertie says on the programme: 'Great whites are famous for being killing machines, but I've learnt that they're actually very fragile. And I'm pretty sure my mum will be relieved I didn't manage to dive with one.' Bertie revealed to MailOnline he thought it would be 'straightforward' to locate one of the most feared sea creatures He adds: 'We've spent far too long worrying about great whites when we should be worried for them.' Bertie does manage to get up close with other shark species and in one dramatic scene, dives into the 'Shark cathedral'. He described it as 'one of the most incredible sights I've ever had' and recalled how the sharks were 'hanging like spaceships' in the cave. 'Those ragged tooth sharks have terrifying mouths, just teeth, the teeth are just like pouring out of their mouths,' the filmmaker told MailOnline. 'There's something in the back of your head, your caveman instinct, that's saying this isn't a good idea. There's 50 sharks here that are more than two meters long each, and teeth pouring out of their mouths. 'But then I remember my biology and I'm lucky enough to have spent a lot of time around sharks, and know that we are not on their menu, and because of that, it means I could be in awe and enjoy it.' Despite their formidable mouths, Bertie revealed that ragged tooth sharks are actually 'shy' and can be spooked by simply the bubbles from breathing. He also has a keen eye for behaviours to look out for in sharks, to ensure he is safe when diving so closely with them. 'So sharks are very expressive. They have body language just like humans do, and you can read that body language to see how they are,' Bertie explained. The 'key thing' to note, according to the wildlife expert, is the shape of the shark's body, 'particularly their back and their pectoral fins'. He added: 'If their pectoral fins are flat, that means they're very happy, and if they're pointed down, that means they are either aggressive or spooked or they're not happy. 'They also arch their back when they do that. So if the shark's nice and flat, pectoral fins are nice and flat, they're very happy. 'As soon as those pectoral fins point down and their back arches, that means they're fired up and either they're on the hunt or they've been disturbed by something.'
American Press
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Swimming with Sharks: Behind the (underwater) lens
Dan Beecham is a British underwater cinematographer who specializes in shooting wildlife sequences for documentaries. In this photo Beecham took, he films Bertie Gregory for his latest show, 'Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory.' (Dan Beecham / National Geographic) Patience is a crucial virtue for a cinematographer — in particular for underwater cameraman Dan Beecham. Beecham was part of a team of divers and cinematographers who followed National Geographic explorer Bertie Gregory on a cage-free mission to film the great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. The film, 'Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory' premieres at 9 p.m. today on National Geographic and will stream starting July 6 on Disney+ and Hulu as part of the channel's 15 days of 'Sharkfest' presentations. 'What's nice in this film is it did give quite an honest representation of what wildlife filming can be like,' Beecham said in a Zoom interview with the American Press. 'It can be a lot of sitting around in a boat, in the rain, everyone getting kind of fed up because things aren't happening. But the reality is at any moment the next 10 minutes could be what makes the film.' Beecham said it only takes minutes for the water's visibility to change, for the wildlife sought to appear, and for the magic to happen. 'You've got to stay a bit frosty all the time and even when for weeks on end the thing's not happening — as you see in the film — you just have to pretend it is going to happen at any moment, really,' Beechum said. The team spent five weeks in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, searching for the elusive white shark. Some days involved diving as long as five hours at a time. 'Every morning when 5 a.m. rolls around and you're getting up to get out to sea for sunrise, and you haven't dived in weeks, you've got to pretend everything is going to happen — the gears are ready, the batteries are charged, everything is perfect on the camera because the universe knows when you let your guard drop, that's when it all happens,' he said. 'We've had to learn that the hard way.' Beecham said the job can have its drawbacks — like being away from home quite often, moving in and out of airports, and experiencing extreme temperatures — but it's something he adores doing. 'It often looks like more fun than it is, but we all love those moments when the really big thing happens that we might not have ever seen before,' he said. 'We might know no one else has seen this on TV before and you're looking down at the monitor seeing something amazing on screen and you know it's going to be on a big screen one day. That's an amazing buzz. That's a drug that's impossible to replicate. As a cameraman, it gives you such an adrenaline hit.' Underwater, there's no script and surprises happen. Though the film's focus is the white shark, playful seals followed the cameraman around, popping up to examine his monitors. He also captured footage of a mother whale sleeping as her calf rode her dorsal fin. 'We never would have guessed that would happen on that shoot,' Beecham said. 'Just by spending the time out there, having the right approach with the animals — myself and Bertie have both worked with whales a lot in different parts of the world — and with a very cautious manner, that's what gets you those encounters.' No two dives are alike. Beecham said he learns something new each time — either about himself or the world around him. 'Especially in South Africa where the weather changes so much, the ocean changes so much. Everywhere you go these days people say the weather is different, the weather is changing more. That makes shoots very difficult to plan and predict because the conditions are so unpredictable. That means you have to be ready for anything at any time. Each thing that happens you have to take as a gift because it might not happen again.' The ultimate message of the film is how humans and sharks can share the ocean together. By entering their domain, Beecham said the team quickly discovered the challenges sharks are facing on this rapidly changing planet. 'It's a bold topic to go towards with the film because the two attacks there that happened where very shocking for the town. It was pretty horrific attacks,' he said. 'We're certainly not making light of those by going and diving with these animals. We do it with the upmost respect. But it's an important topic to shine a light on and talk about and it's good for Bertie to go and speak to all of the stakeholders — the shark spotters and all the different parties that are involved there — and get an understanding from an outsiders' point of view. There's a line Bertie says in the film, 'You can't manage sharks, but you can manage people,' to make it to where sharks and people can co-exist. That's a great way to sum this up. That's what has to happen, basically.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bertie Gregory and other experts explain how to not get eaten by a shark
Slashing teeth, lifeless eyes, and a taste for human flesh—that's what most movies might have us believe is typical shark behavior. But what is it really like to be in the water with these apex predators? Sharks have been on Earth for longer than trees, and there are more than 500 species—from the infamous great white and iconic hammerhead to the gentle whale shark and pocket-sized dwarf lanternshark. (This was the best place on Earth to see great white sharks—then they vanished.) Regardless of size, sharks can be unpredictable, so it's important that those who share the water with them have knowledge of, experience, and respect for the animal. So what does it take to swim with sharks? Ahead of National Geographic's Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory premiere on July 5, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day, we talked to shark experts to find out how they prepare for these endeavors. While filming the show, National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory experienced his 'all-time favorite' shark dive in the 'spooky' Cathedral underwater cave in South Africa's Aliwal Shoal reef. (Cape Cod may have the highest density of great white sharks in the world.) As many as 40 spotted ragged-tooth sharks 'were just swirling around in this cave,' he says. Growing to around 10 feet long, these seemingly menacing creatures have 'terrifying looking mouths with hundreds of needle-sharp teeth.' But Gregory wasn't afraid. 'Fear comes from a lack of understanding,' he says. He knows that needle-like teeth are designed for grabbing rather than slicing, which means 'prey needs to be a size they can swallow. I'm too big to fit down their throat, so they can't chew me.' Even great whites—probably the most feared fish on the planet—aren't mindless man eaters. 'We're not on their menu,' says Gregory. 'We're low in fat, and we taste funny.' Adult white sharks have evolved to eat seals and sea lions because of their energy-dense blubber, as opposed to us sinewy humans. Although shark bites are incredibly rare—there were 47 unprovoked bites in 2024, according to the International Shark Attack File—the best way to prevent any incident is to understand the conditions and the animal's behavior. Shark scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez, who didn't appear on the show but has been diving with sharks for over a decade, always carefully reviews environmental factors before getting in the water with any shark species, but especially large ones. 'I never enter the water if there's a strong scent trail from bait or carcasses, unless it's a controlled research setting,' she says. For an experienced professional like Márquez, safety protocols are a non-negotiable. This includes working with a highly trained crew, following clear procedures, and using a safety pole when needed to make sure there is always something between you and an overly curious shark. Time of day is also important. Predatory sharks tend to hunt at dusk and dawn, so experienced professionals usually avoid these times, especially when the water is murky. 'If they're hunting in poor visibility water, they could mistake a human for a seal,' says Gregory. By the time a large predatory shark has taken a test bite and realized the human isn't food, the victim likely has catastrophic injuries, he says. 'It's about not giving them the opportunity to make a mistake.' Some factors, however, are impossible for researchers to know beforehand—like how the animal is feeling. 'Is it hungry? Is it full? Is it hunting? Is it happy? Is it healthy?' asks Lacey Williams, a shark behavioral ecologist who appeared on the show. 'We can't ask, unfortunately.' Sharks give off signals if you know how to read their body language. Signs that a shark feels uncomfortable or agitated include jerky movements, raising its head, lowering its pectoral fins to point downwards, and arching its back. If Márquez notices an exaggerated swishing tail, the animal making tighter circles, bumping objects around it, or several close passes, 'that's a signal that it is time to exit the water calmly and quickly,' she says. When you're in the water with sharks, it's important to stay calm, move slowly, avoid sudden movements, and 'have a healthy respect for what that animal is capable of,' says Williams. Always 'have your head on a swivel,' she says. Don't turn your back to the shark and always maintain eye contact. As ambush predators, sharks are less likely to see you as potential prey if you keep your eyes on them at all times. Although it's sensible to be cautious, a shark isn't going to try to chomp on any human it sees. Many species—including hammerheads, puffadder shysharks and thresher sharks—tend to be timid and avoid divers. (This is how we can share our coasts with sharks.) For predatory species like tiger, bull, and white sharks, going after a meal uses up valuable energy, so they need to know their efforts will be worth the reward—and that they won't get injured themselves. Márquez says she stays vertical in the water to appear as large and off-putting as possible, joking that she's not sure 'how much that actually works in my favor at a meager 5 foot 1.' Experts also consider how to prevent stressing out the sharks. 'These are wild animals, and every encounter should be on their terms,' Márquez says. That means giving them plenty of space and never chasing or cornering them. 'Swimming with sharks is a privilege, not a thrill-seeking stunt,' she adds. Most importantly, never, ever try to touch a shark. 'None of us really like being touched without our consent,' adds Williams, so the same goes for sharks and other animals. Some experts worry that the rise of social media footage of professionals interacting with sharks encourages people to take unnecessary risks—and sometimes get hurt. People 'think they can just go up and touch them or ride them, and that's very much not the case,' Williams says, even for docile species. When it comes to sharks, people are usually concerned about the wrong thing, says Gregory. With these majestic animals threatened by human activities—including overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution—he says, 'we've spent far too long worrying about sharks when we should be worried for them.'
National Geographic
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
How to not get eaten by a shark, explained by professional divers
Although sharks aren't the mindless man-eaters they are sometimes made out to be, experts know that staying safe involves skill, knowledge, and practice. Host Bertie Gregory filming a ragged tooth shark underwater. "Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory" premieres on National Geographic on July 5. Photograph By Dan Beecham, National Geographic Regardless of size, sharks can be unpredictable, so it's important that those who share the water with them have knowledge of, experience, and respect for the animal. So what does it take to swim with sharks? Ahead of National Geographic's Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory premiere on July 5, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day, we talked to shark experts to find out how they prepare for these endeavors. Sharks up close While filming the show, National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory experienced his 'all-time favorite' shark dive in the 'spooky' Cathedral underwater cave in South Africa's Aliwal Shoal reef. Magazine for all ages starting at $25/year (Cape Cod may have the highest density of great white sharks in the world.) As many as 40 spotted ragged-tooth sharks 'were just swirling around in this cave,' he says. Growing to around 10 feet long, these seemingly menacing creatures have 'terrifying looking mouths with hundreds of needle-sharp teeth.' But Gregory wasn't afraid. 'Fear comes from a lack of understanding,' he says. He knows that needle-like teeth are designed for grabbing rather than slicing, which means 'prey needs to be a size they can swallow. I'm too big to fit down their throat, so they can't chew me.' Even great whites—probably the most feared fish on the planet—aren't mindless man eaters. 'We're not on their menu,' says Gregory. 'We're low in fat, and we taste funny.' Adult white sharks have evolved to eat seals and sea lions because of their energy-dense blubber, as opposed to us sinewy humans. Although shark bites are incredibly rare—there were 47 unprovoked bites in 2024, according to the International Shark Attack File—the best way to prevent any incident is to understand the conditions and the animal's behavior. Staying safe around sharks Shark scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez, who didn't appear on the show but has been diving with sharks for over a decade, always carefully reviews environmental factors before getting in the water with any shark species, but especially large ones. 'I never enter the water if there's a strong scent trail from bait or carcasses, unless it's a controlled research setting,' she says. For an experienced professional like Márquez, safety protocols are a non-negotiable. This includes working with a highly trained crew, following clear procedures, and using a safety pole when needed to make sure there is always something between you and an overly curious shark. Time of day is also important. Predatory sharks tend to hunt at dusk and dawn, so experienced professionals usually avoid these times, especially when the water is murky. 'If they're hunting in poor visibility water, they could mistake a human for a seal,' says Gregory. By the time a large predatory shark has taken a test bite and realized the human isn't food, the victim likely has catastrophic injuries, he says. 'It's about not giving them the opportunity to make a mistake.' Some factors, however, are impossible for researchers to know beforehand—like how the animal is feeling. 'Is it hungry? Is it full? Is it hunting? Is it happy? Is it healthy?' asks Lacey Williams, a shark behavioral ecologist who appeared on the show. 'We can't ask, unfortunately.' Reading a shark's body language Sharks give off signals if you know how to read their body language. Signs that a shark feels uncomfortable or agitated include jerky movements, raising its head, lowering its pectoral fins to point downwards, and arching its back. If Márquez notices an exaggerated swishing tail, the animal making tighter circles, bumping objects around it, or several close passes, 'that's a signal that it is time to exit the water calmly and quickly,' she says. When you're in the water with sharks, it's important to stay calm, move slowly, avoid sudden movements, and 'have a healthy respect for what that animal is capable of,' says Williams. Always 'have your head on a swivel,' she says. Don't turn your back to the shark and always maintain eye contact. As ambush predators, sharks are less likely to see you as potential prey if you keep your eyes on them at all times. Overturning stereotypes Although it's sensible to be cautious, a shark isn't going to try to chomp on any human it sees. Many species—including hammerheads, puffadder shysharks and thresher sharks—tend to be timid and avoid divers. (This is how we can share our coasts with sharks.) For predatory species like tiger, bull, and white sharks, going after a meal uses up valuable energy, so they need to know their efforts will be worth the reward—and that they won't get injured themselves. Márquez says she stays vertical in the water to appear as large and off-putting as possible, joking that she's not sure 'how much that actually works in my favor at a meager 5 foot 1.' Experts also consider how to prevent stressing out the sharks. 'These are wild animals, and every encounter should be on their terms,' Márquez says. That means giving them plenty of space and never chasing or cornering them. 'Swimming with sharks is a privilege, not a thrill-seeking stunt,' she adds. Most importantly, never, ever try to touch a shark. 'None of us really like being touched without our consent,' adds Williams, so the same goes for sharks and other animals. Some experts worry that the rise of social media footage of professionals interacting with sharks encourages people to take unnecessary risks—and sometimes get hurt. People 'think they can just go up and touch them or ride them, and that's very much not the case,' Williams says, even for docile species. When it comes to sharks, people are usually concerned about the wrong thing, says Gregory. With these majestic animals threatened by human activities—including overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution—he says, 'we've spent far too long worrying about sharks when we should be worried for them.' "Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory" is coming to National Geographic starting July 5 at 8/7c, and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. Check local listings.
