If you thought the story behind 2023’s Cocaine Bear film was wild, well it’s time to level up to… Cocaine Shark. A new study by Brazilian scientists has revealed that sharks off the coast of Brazil are testing positive for cocaine. Researchers found traces of the drug in both the muscles and livers of every shark they examined, a study that involved dissecting 13 sharpnose sharks.
This alarming situation is likely caused by cocaine entering the ocean through untreated sewage or being dumped during drug smuggling operations. Scientists are concerned that the cocaine consumption could alter the sharks’ behavior and harm other marine life in the Santos Bay Area.
“We don’t usually see many bales of coke dumped or lost at sea here, unlike in Mexico and Florida.”
-Scientist and researcher Dr Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis in The Telegraph
This isn’t an isolated incident; similar findings have been reported in other locations around the world. For instance, last year, scientists in Florida discovered fish and sharks in Florida waters have been affected by drug-related paraphelnia dumped into the ocean by drug traffickers. Similarly, in the UK, freshwater shrimp and other river wildlife are testing positive for cocaine and ketamine. In addition, a 2018 study discovered that eels in British waters have been exposed to cocaine. Researchers believe the drug is causing these creatures to become ‘hyperactive.’
While movies like Cocaine Bear and Cocaine Shark provide a source of entertainment, it’s important to note this is a real issue affecting our wildlife, both on land and at sea.
Source – [H/T]