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.
While the stunt fired up social media with mirth over the weekend, by Monday night, it took an unpleasant turn when police said the swimmer is believed to also be a man wanted for a serious assault two hours before and five kilometres away from his dip.
Police said David Weaver, 37, of Nelson, B.C., is wanted for mischief for the nude swim as well as assault causing bodily harm after a man was attacked outside Medieval Times dinner and show.
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 back flip into the water, revealing his underbelly prompting even louder uproar.
He then climbed out, 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.
Doyle said the man did not appear to be intoxicated.
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.”
By 9:15 p.m. Monday, police had linked the swim to the unsolved assault and issued a clear photograph of the suspect, apparently take at the Medieval Times dinner show.
Police believe he is driving a green Dodge Caravan with B.C. license plates.
Because of the later hour of Friday’s swim, police do not believed young children were present during the skinny dip.