Police would like a word with man who swam naked with sharks.

TORONTO • A manhunt is underway for a man who jumped naked into the massive shark tank at Ripley’s Aquarium, swimming among the 14 sharks to cheers and jeers before barely escaping.

After his one-man show Friday night, he was told police were on their way and then yanked on his pants, held his shoes in his hand and fled with a woman — leaving his hoodie and Tshirt behind.

Police have issued an alert and a photo of the man, although only showing his face. His naked stunt also revealed other distinguishing features: tribal tattoos down his calf and a bicep tattoo.

While the stunt was greeted largely with merriment by onlookers and on social media, the aquarium is not amused.

“We hope to have this gentleman apprehended and charged to the fullest extent of the law, because what he did was foolish and dangerous. And it was definitely premeditated and intentional,” said Peter Doyle, general manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.

The aquarium’s internal security video shows the man arriving at around 10 p.m., an hour before closing. Although the downtown attraction was hosting a jazz night with a cash bar, the swimmer pretty much headed straight for the “Dangerous Lagoon,” which is a recreation of a tropical lagoon with rockery, foliage and nearly three million litres of water.

The man made his way to the overlook at the exhibit, disrobed, climbed over a security barrier and jumped into the water, Doyle said.

Videos on social media show the man swimming calmly around in the pool. One video, through glass from under the water, captures several sharks nearby. Rather than showing any interest in his flailing legs they quickly scooted away.

The man returned to the edge of the pool where he first jumped in and paused. Looking up he says: “I can’t get out.” He looked for another egress and backstroked to an easement where aquarium staff stood. Onlookers are heard exclaiming: “He’s completely naked.”

At the easement he started to climb out, revealing a full moon to an outcry from onlookers. As if in response, just when he is almost out he suddenly did a high backflip into the water, revealing his underbelly prompting even louder uproar.

He then climbed out, at about 10:25 p.m.

As he climbed back over the security railing, he offered one last guffaw: still wet from his swim he slipped and fell off the smooth steel railing, clattering onto the floor, surrounded by amused onlookers.

A woman is then seen handing him his clothes.

That’s about when security informed him police had been called and he darted out of the building partially clothed.

“We have a policy about a swimmer and this was our first time ever; we’ve been open for five years,” said Doyle, adding the man did not appear drunk.

The shark tank, the aquarium’s primary exhibit, houses sea turtles and various tropical fish along with 14 sharks, a mix of Sand Tiger, Sand Bar and Nurse sharks.

Although these shark breeds are not typically aggressive, they are carnivorous and Doyle said it was a dangerous stunt.

“Whenever you surprise or corner any type of animal, whether it is a dog or a shark, it could potentially bite back, but these are not aggressive sharks like you see on TV.

“They looked more afraid of him than he was of them.”

One patron was in the tunnel that views the tank from under the water when he saw a man plunge in.

“I thought he was a worker at first until I notice he was naked,” he said, declining to provide his name. He started videoing the stunt on his phone.

“We filmed the whole thing. It was hilarious. Sharks were swimming under him, they seemed angry but also frightened of him. They are fed daily so I guess they had no reason to attack him.

“Once the cops showed up the man was nowhere to be seen.”

Toronto police issued an alert seeking help in identifying the man, wanted in a mischief interfere with property investigation, said Const. Jenifferjit Sidhu.

Police distributed a blurry photo, a frame grab from a video of the incident, to help aid in his identification.

Because of the late hour, police do not believe young children were present during the skinny dip.

Toronto police are looking to speak with a man who stripped naked and jumped into a shark tank at a popular tourist attraction in the city.