{"id":8641,"date":"2025-10-20T17:08:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T23:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.savingoursharks.org\/?p=8641"},"modified":"2026-03-04T08:20:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:20:24","slug":"dr-mauricio-hoyos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/dr-mauricio-hoyos\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Mauricio Hoyos and his encounter with a shark that reaffirms our conservation mission"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:d7aab339-72aa-4716-9c53-4bfaa4d3c3ca-0\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-2\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] thread-sm:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] thread-lg:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] thread-lg:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"4b0dccf3-206c-4c9c-a455-3a6a15c1b149\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words dark markdown-new-styling\">\n<p data-start=\"269\" data-end=\"836\">Dr. Mauricio Hoyos, director de <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pelagioskakunja.org\/\"><strong data-start=\"317\" data-end=\"337\">Pelagios Kakunj\u00e1<\/strong><\/a>, fundador y miembro del consejo de la <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/\">Fundaci\u00f3n Saving Our Sharks<\/a>, es una de las figuras m\u00e1s reconocidas en el estudio de tiburones a nivel internacional. Su trabajo ha sido clave para entender aspectos fundamentales de estas especies, como sus zonas de cr\u00eda, reproducci\u00f3n, patrones migratorios, comportamiento y uso del h\u00e1bitat. Adem\u00e1s de su voluntad de compartir el conocimiento y formar nuevas generaciones de cient\u00edficos y defensores del oc\u00e9ano.<\/p>\n<p>Durante su reciente expedici\u00f3n cient\u00edfica enfocada en el marcaje de tiburones en las <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tTP1TcwNLHMyDJg9BLLLM5JLFZIzk_OB5HFJYkKRZnJiQC7Jwtc&amp;q=islas+cocos+costa+rica&amp;oq=islas+coco&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCEC4YgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQLhiABDIHCAIQLhiABDIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHtIBCDM0NDhqMGo3qAIAsAIA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8\">Islas Coco, en Costa Rica<\/a>. \u2014una t\u00e9cnica que consiste en implantar transmisores para rastrear sus movimientos y estudiar sus patrones migratorios\u2014 el Dr. Mauricio Hoyos vivi\u00f3 un encuentro inesperado que puso a prueba no solo su experiencia, sino tambi\u00e9n su perspectiva sobre estos animales. Con m\u00e1s de 2,000 marcajes realizados a lo largo de su carrera, su preparaci\u00f3n y serenidad fueron clave para afrontar el momento con claridad. Sin embargo, lo m\u00e1s significativo fue su capacidad de transformar ese suceso en una oportunidad para derribar mitos profundamente arraigados. Lejos de una reacci\u00f3n agresiva, el Dr. Hoyos describe c\u00f3mo el comportamiento del tibur\u00f3n fue contenido, casi como si hubiera elegido no hacerle da\u00f1o. \u201cMe perdon\u00f3 la vida\u201d, afirma, reforzando la idea de que estas especies no son asesinos por naturaleza, sino criaturas que, como todas, merecen respeto y comprensi\u00f3n.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"1657\" data-end=\"1945\">Desde la Fundaci\u00f3n Saving Our Sharks queremos resaltar c\u00f3mo encuentros como este, lejos de ser definidos \u00fanicamente por su dramatismo, pueden generar reflexiones profundas y aprendizajes valiosos para la ciencia, la educaci\u00f3n ambiental y la conservaci\u00f3n de los tiburones en todo el mundo.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"1213\" data-end=\"1248\">Qu\u00e9 nos ense\u00f1a este encuentro<\/h3>\n<ol data-start=\"1249\" data-end=\"2762\">\n<li data-start=\"1249\" data-end=\"1658\">\n<p data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1658\"><strong data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1285\">El tibur\u00f3n no es un \u201casesino\u201d<\/strong>: Como bien se\u00f1ala Hoyos, el arquetipo del tibur\u00f3n agresivo es profundamente equivocado. Este encuentro pone de relieve que los tiburones, cuando reaccionan, lo hacen muchas veces por defensa \u2014como fue en este caso\u2014 y no como predadores implacables.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"2174\">\n<p data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"2174\"><strong data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1715\">Importancia del marcaje y seguimiento migratorio<\/strong>: El momento de trabajo en que estaba cuando ocurri\u00f3 el hecho permit\u00eda colocar transmisores que env\u00edan se\u00f1ales ultras\u00f3nicas para dotar de datos vitales sobre cuando un tibur\u00f3n ingresa a una zona, cuando la abandona, hacia d\u00f3nde migra. Gracias a estas herramientas, los investigadores pueden mapear corredores submarinos m\u00e1s all\u00e1 de fronteras nacionales, lo que refuerza un enfoque de conservaci\u00f3n internacionalizado.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2762\">\n<p data-start=\"2179\" data-end=\"2762\"><strong data-start=\"2179\" data-end=\"2242\">Recordatorio de nuestra vulnerabilidad y de su rol esencial<\/strong>: A trav\u00e9s de su experiencia, Hoyos hace hincapi\u00e9 en que los tiburones existen hace unos 450\u202fmillones de a\u00f1os y que nosotros \u201cinvadimos\u201d su medio. Los tiburones, en su papel, funcionan como \u201cel sistema inmune de los oc\u00e9anos\u201d: se alimentan de organismos muertos, enfermos o d\u00e9biles, y al hacerlo contribuyen al equilibrio. Este encuentro nos invita a pausar la narrativa de \u201ctibur\u00f3n\u202f=\u202fmonstruo\u201d y asumir un rol de respeto y custodia.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-start=\"2769\" data-end=\"2829\"><\/h3>\n<h3 data-start=\"2769\" data-end=\"2829\">\u00bfQu\u00e9 impacto tiene para nuestra labor en la Fundaci\u00f3n Saving our Sharks?<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"2830\" data-end=\"3816\">\n<li data-start=\"2830\" data-end=\"3026\">\n<p data-start=\"2832\" data-end=\"3026\"><strong data-start=\"2832\" data-end=\"2863\">Refuerzo de sensibilizaci\u00f3n<\/strong>: Este tipo de historias ayudan a cambiar la percepci\u00f3n p\u00fablica, y mostrar que los tiburones merecen protecci\u00f3n, no temor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3027\" data-end=\"3259\">\n<p data-start=\"3029\" data-end=\"3259\"><strong data-start=\"3029\" data-end=\"3082\">Apoyo a pol\u00edticas de conservaci\u00f3n transfronteriza<\/strong>: Los datos que se obtienen de expediciones como la de Hoyos y su equipo pueden alimentar propuestas de \u00e1reas marinas protegidas que reconozcan rutas migratorias de tiburones.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3260\" data-end=\"3512\">\n<p data-start=\"3262\" data-end=\"3512\"><strong data-start=\"3262\" data-end=\"3304\">Incentivo a la colaboraci\u00f3n cient\u00edfica<\/strong>: Cuando investigadores de diferentes pa\u00edses colaboran (como en Costa\u202fRica, M\u00e9xico, EE.UU.), se genera una red de conocimiento m\u00e1s s\u00f3lida.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3513\" data-end=\"3816\">\n<p data-start=\"3515\" data-end=\"3816\"><strong data-start=\"3515\" data-end=\"3561\">Recordatorio de la formaci\u00f3n y preparaci\u00f3n<\/strong>: La experiencia de Hoyos demuestra que la conducta experta frente a situaciones de alto riesgo reduce el peligro.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"3823\" data-end=\"3851\">Mirando hacia adelante<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3852\" data-end=\"4346\">El encuentro con tibur\u00f3n que Dr. Mauricio Hoyos vivi\u00f3 en las Islas \u202fCoco, no es un accidente narrativo, sino un punto de inflexi\u00f3n que nos permite recalibrar nuestro enfoque: menos miedo, m\u00e1s entendimiento. Debemos <strong data-start=\"4043\" data-end=\"4085\">acabar con el mito del tibur\u00f3n asesino<\/strong>, porque la realidad es otra.\u00a0<br data-start=\"4154\" data-end=\"4157\" \/>Este episodio, lejos de apagarse tras la noticia, debe motivar m\u00e1s acci\u00f3n, m\u00e1s alianzas y m\u00e1s respeto hacia los tiburones y hacia el oc\u00e9ano como un todo.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4868\">En Fundaci\u00f3n Saving our Sharks nos sentimos muy afortunados y agradecidos, de que el Dr. Mauricio Hoyos forme parte de este viaje de conservaci\u00f3n. Juntos, transformamos vidas, salvando tiburones.<\/h3>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-8641 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/dr-mauricio-hoyos\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n\/'><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559279915_18409301500112305_4818727066373089899_n-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/dr-mauricio-hoyos\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/559593157_18409301518112305_1034528537906460342_n-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4868\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"pointer-events-none h-px w-px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-edge=\"true\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Mauricio Hoyos, director of Pelagios Kakunj\u00e1, founder and board member of the Saving Our Sharks Foundation, is one of the most renowned figures in the study of sharks internationally. His work has been key to understanding fundamental aspects of these species, such as their breeding grounds, reproduction, migratory patterns, behavior, and habitat use. He is also known for his commitment to sharing knowledge and training new generations of scientists and ocean advocates. During his recent scientific expedition focused on tagging sharks in the Cocos Islands, Costa Rica\u2014a technique that involves implanting transmitters to track their movements and study their migratory patterns\u2014Dr. Mauricio Hoyos experienced an unexpected encounter that tested not only his expertise but also his perspective on these animals. With more than 2,000 tags performed throughout his career, his preparation and composure were key to facing the moment with clarity. However, what was most significant was his ability to transform this event into an opportunity to debunk deeply ingrained myths. Far from an aggressive reaction, Dr. Hoyos describes how the shark&#039;s behavior was restrained, almost as if it had chosen not to harm him. &quot;It spared my life,&quot; he states, reinforcing the idea that these species are not killers by nature, but creatures that, like all others, deserve respect and understanding. At the Saving Our Sharks Foundation, we want to highlight how encounters like this, far from being defined solely by their drama, can generate profound reflections and valuable lessons for science, environmental education, and shark conservation worldwide. What this encounter teaches us: The shark is not a &quot;killer&quot;: As Hoyos rightly points out, the archetype of the aggressive shark is profoundly mistaken. This encounter underscores that when sharks react, they often do so in self-defense\u2014as was the case here\u2014and not as relentless predators. Importance of Tagging and Migration Tracking: The timing of the incident allowed for the placement of transmitters that send ultrasonic signals, providing vital data on when a shark enters an area, when it leaves, and where it migrates. Thanks to these tools, researchers can map underwater corridors beyond national borders, reinforcing an internationalized conservation approach. A Reminder of Our Vulnerability and Their Essential Role: Through his experience, Hoyos emphasizes that sharks have existed for some 450 million years and that we have \u201cinvaded\u201d their environment. Sharks, in their role, function as \u201cthe immune system of the oceans\u201d: they feed on dead, sick, or weak organisms, and in doing so, contribute to the balance. This encounter invites us to pause the \u201cshark = monster\u201d narrative and assume a role of respect and stewardship. What impact does this have on our work at the Saving Our Sharks Foundation? Increased Awareness: These kinds of stories help change public perception and show that sharks deserve protection, not fear. Support for transboundary conservation policies: Data obtained from expeditions like Hoyos&#039;s can inform proposals for marine protected areas that recognize shark migration routes. Incentive for scientific collaboration: When researchers from different countries collaborate (as in Costa Rica, Mexico, and the USA), a stronger knowledge network is created. Reminder of training and preparation: Hoyos&#039;s experience demonstrates that expert behavior in high-risk situations reduces danger. Looking ahead: The shark encounter that Dr. Mauricio Hoyos experienced in the Cocos Islands is not a narrative accident, but a turning point that allows us to recalibrate our approach: less fear, more understanding. We must end the myth of the killer shark, because the reality is different. This episode, far from fading away after the news, should motivate more action, more alliances, and more respect for sharks and the ocean as a whole. At the Saving Our Sharks Foundation, we feel very fortunate and grateful that Dr. Mauricio Hoyos is part of this conservation journey. Together, we transform lives, saving sharks.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8646,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[106,83,61],"class_list":["post-8641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-dr-mauricio-hoyos","tag-fundacion-saving-our-sharks","tag-saving-our-sharks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8641"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8641\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}