For decades, aquariums around the world have tried and tried to bring the ocean’s most formidable predator, the great white shark, into public view. With its torpedo-shaped body and cold predatory gaze, this creature has become both an icon and an enigma, feared and revered across the globe. But while many other shark species have adapted relatively well to life behind glass, the great white remains a striking exception.
For years, institutions have poured an unspeakable amount of resources into the dream of showcasing a living great white, but it seems this dream will forever remain out of reach. Time and again, these magnificent ocean creatures have resisted confinement, and have often perished in the process.
Click through this gallery to find out why.