Mexican marine biologist Mauricio Hoyos Padilla was bitten by a Galapagos shark while diving and performing scientific tagging in Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica. According to initial assessments, he is still in critical condition. stable, although with significant injuries on the head, face and arms after the incident.
The incident took place during an expedition of the One Ocean Worldwide Coalition, in which Fins Attached, For the Oceans Foundation, Reserva Tortuga and the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation participate. Experts and organizations emphasize that this is a unusual episode in a strictly regulated environment with security protocols.
Chronology of rescue and medical care
After the attack, the Cocos Island park rangers and teams from the Meritorious Fire Department of Costa Rica intervened immediately, controlling the pain, securing the airway and stabilizing the researcher on site to begin his evacuation.
The operation included a long sea transfer, around 36 hours, to the port of Puntarenas and, subsequently, a road trip to San José. There, the scientist was admitted to the Biblical Clinic, where he remains under observation and with specialized medical follow-up.
The Fire Doctor, Luis FernandezHe explained that the incident occurred during a tagging maneuver: the shark, approximately four meters long, turned quickly and struck Hoyos in the head. He explained that the team maintained constant monitoring throughout the journey until he was subsequently treated at the hospital.
The patient, from 48 yearsHe has significant injuries, especially in the craniofacial area, but his overall condition is reported to be stable. Health authorities are prioritizing neurological monitoring and pain control while the injuries are being assessed.
The One Ocean Worldwide Coalition expressed its gratitude for the local support and highlighted the coordinated work of park rangers, paramedics and rescuersAlex Antoniou, executive director of Fins Attached, insisted that such incidents are extremely rare and praised the Cocos Island community's commitment to the expedition's safety.
What he was investigating and who accompanied him
At the time of the incident, Hoyos was involved in marking for population monitoring of the Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis), essential tasks to understand their movements, their conservation status and the connectivity between marine protected areas.
The mission was made up of specialists and technicians from Fins Attached, For the Oceans Foundation, Tortuga Reserve and Rob Stewart Sharkwater FoundationCoordination with the national park rangers allowed for the immediate activation of emergency protocols.
Recognized for his career, Mauricio Hoyos co-founded the organization in 2010 Pelagios Kakunjá alongside James Ketchum, focused on the study of sharks in their natural habitat. His awards include Researcher of the Year 2018 (Fins Attached) and Shark Guardian 2022 (Shark Project International), which endorse its contribution to marine conservation.
Jorge Serendero, of For the Oceans, highlighted the professionalism of the teams that made the safe evacuation of the scientist possible. The scientific and environmental community has shown concern and support to the speedy recovery of Hoyos and the continuity of the ongoing investigations.
Cocos Island and the Galapagos shark: context clues
Located about 550 kilometers of Costa Rica's Pacific coastCocos Island has been a National Park and a World Heritage Site since 1997. Its waters contain exceptional biodiversity and are a regular site for research and conservation projects.
In the area, the presence of several species of sharks is frequent, such as the hammerhead, the whitetip and the tortoise, plus pelagic schools and other migratory species. However, incidents involving people are rare, especially during planned scientific activities.
El Galapagos shark It is a viviparous, migratory species that inhabits warm waters around the world. Due to its slow reproduction and vulnerability, it enjoys protection measures in various marine areas, which explains the importance of tagging and monitoring programs.
The risks in field work are real, but the combination of protocols, training and coordinated response minimizes the likelihood of serious incidents. The information generated by these expeditions is key to guiding public policies and strengthening marine protected areas.
The case of Mauricio Hoyos puts the focus on the scientific and conservation work taking place on Cocos Island, the support of the Costa Rican authorities, and the unusual nature of the attack. The priority now is their recovery and continued efforts to understand and protect these large marine predators.