Jaw-Dropping Showdown: Inside Shark Week's Cocaine-Infused Sharks and the Terrifying Great White Fight Club

Summary

Tom Hird, a charismatic marine biologist with a passion for heavy metal, takes center stage in both shows. With his expertise in shark behavior, Hird is adept at detecting unusual signs that may indicate drug usage among these fascinating creatures.

Shark Week returns with a lineup of exciting new shows on Discovery. Among them are Cocaine Sharks and Great White Fight Club. Taking inspiration from the viral sensation Cocaine Bear, Cocaine Sharks delves into the impact of drugs released into the waters of the Florida Keys. Meanwhile, Great White Fight Club ventures to New Zealand's coast to study the power dynamics of white sharks.

Tom Hird, the self-proclaimed heavy metal marine biologist, is a common link between both programs. As a devoted scientist, a skilled orator, and a bass player with a fondness for metal music, Hird's passion for raising awareness about the ocean and its creatures is evident. Additionally, Hird has published works and previously led the Ocean Wonders series. In an interview with Screen Rant, Tom Hird delved into intriguing topics such as cocaine sharks and his involvement in the Great White Fight Club.

Tom Hird Talks Cocaine Sharks & Great White Fight Club

Screen Rant: While tuning in to Cocaine Sharks, I couldn't help but be captivated by the eccentric premise involving salmon on cocaine and trout addicted to meth. This led me to wonder, how prevalent is this phenomenon of animals interacting with drugs?

Tom Hird: Surprisingly, it is likely much more common than we currently realize. A fascinating study conducted on the Thames River, which flows through London, sheds light on this topic. Despite efforts to enhance water quality through legislation and conservation, all 15 water samples collected from various points along the Thames contained cocaine, revealing an unexpected prevalence.

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They also conducted shrimp samplings since organisms without a vertebral column are highly indicative of water quality. These creatures are sensitive to changes and are significantly affected by them, making them a reliable litmus test. Shrimp samples were obtained from all these locations, with each one revealing the presence of cocaine. This pertains to the city of London, which is commonly disliked, providing a plausible explanation as to why individuals consume excessive amounts of cocaine there. If I had to reside in London, I might end up addicted to drugs as well. Of course, I am joking; London is actually a marvelous city.

However, this is just one city. Consider the numerous other locations. Moreover, it is not solely limited to illegal substances such as cocaine; we are also discovering traces of pharmaceuticals like birth control, antidepressants, and even remnants of cough medicine. Essentially, any medication that we ingest is not fully utilized by our bodies, resulting in its excretion and subsequent entry into the water system, ultimately making its way downstream.

In Cocaine Sharks, we observe a truly extraordinary occurrence that is likely unparalleled elsewhere in the world - a shark consuming an exceptionally large amount of cocaine. However, there is a hidden and continuous occurrence of various substances infiltrating Westernized cultures with high rates of illicit drug use.

In Cocaine Sharks, you are tasked with identifying indications of cocaine consumption through shark behavior. It is possible that you have spent considerable time with these creatures without even realizing it. But how much time is required to truly understand these animals and recognize what is considered abnormal?

Tom Hird: With sharks, it becomes evident once you've spent some time observing them, and in my case, I have indeed. Additionally, I had the privilege of working with Mark Rackley, a renowned expert on sharks. Having that extra level of expertise allows us to identify when the sharks are not behaving as they should. It's actually not as difficult as one might think, as long as you know what signs to look for.

For instance, many people have pets like dogs or cats. If your dog is peacefully sleeping on the sofa, relaxed and content, it's safe to assume that the dog is happy. However, if the dog appears restless, constantly pacing, and panting, even a non-veterinarian can recognize that something is bothering the animal. This is essentially what we are observing in sharks.

We have an understanding of what sharks generally prefer and how they typically behave. However, we were specifically interested in observing unusual behaviors. These can include difficulties in swimming at a consistent level, sudden bursts of speed, unexpected changes in behavior, low energy levels, limited movement, or peculiar swimming patterns. When we observe such behaviors, we might think, "That's strange." Of course, further research is needed to determine the cause of these odd behaviors. It could be something as simple as the shark consuming cocaine or it might be due to exposure to other chemicals. There are many factors to consider, but when we see a shark exhibiting abnormal swimming patterns, we can't help but wonder about the reasons behind it.

Another aspect of our research involves the Great White Fight Club, where we traveled to New Zealand to study female white sharks. These creatures are among the most well-known animals worldwide, even to those who are not experts in the field. Yet, how much remains unknown about them?

Tom Hird acknowledges Michelle Jewell's significant role in Great White Fight Club and expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her. He admires her expertise and emphasizes the valuable learning experience gained from working alongside her. However, in terms of understanding shark behavior, there is still a vast amount of unknowns. Tom and Michelle had discussions and speculations during their time together, considering whether they were observing mating or dominance behavior. Categorizing behavior in sharks is a challenging task that requires extensive study and repeated experiments. Unlike other species, it is impossible to directly communicate with sharks to determine their motives.

One aspect of researching Cocaine Shark that stands out is our limited knowledge of a shark's brain and its functionality. Each day, we are continuously discovering new insights on this topic. Although we have a better understanding of certain aspects of great white sharks, such as their habitats, there is still much to learn about their private lives and internal mechanisms.

Apart from being a biologist, you excel as a captivating show host. Do you feel more at ease when studying animals and conducting scientific research, or when being in front of the camera? And was there a particular role that took longer for you to feel comfortable with?

Tom Hird: I am simply an ordinary person. One thing I focus on is being uninteresting. I am a plain and boring individual. We have a lot of knowledge about ourselves. The true fascination lies in creatures like sharks. Whenever I am presenting or broadcasting, there needs to be a purpose for me to stand between you and the animal. Otherwise, the animal should take center stage while I remain in the background providing information.

It's similar to going to the Louvre and having the tour guide stand in front of the Mona Lisa, saying, "This is the Mona Lisa. Now let's move on." That's not how I operate because I have no interest in being the focal point. There are plenty of attractive individuals, both male and female, who deserve the spotlight. As for me, I simply want to enjoy playing Zelda underwater.

About Cocaine Sharks and Great White Fight Club

Cocaine Sharks:

Decades of speculation within the fishing community have given rise to rumors about cocaine-enhanced sharks. Tom Hird, an expert in the field, embarks on a journey to the Florida Keys to uncover the effects of these infamous creatures encountering the world's most notorious drug.

Great White Fight Club:

In the perilous waters of New Zealand, a group of specialists sets out on a bold expedition to present groundbreaking findings. Their mission is to provide irrefutable evidence of the unparalleled dominance of female white sharks, who reign supreme as the ultimate overseers of the ocean's fiercely contested arenas.

Check out our other Shark Week interviews:

Forrest Galante on Alien Sharks: Strange New Worlds

Dr. Austin Gallagher on Monster Mako: Fresh Blood and Belly of the Beast

Great White Fight Club premiered July 24 and Cocaine Sharks premiered July 26 for Shark Week on Discovery.

Source: Screen Rant Plus