Luka Seamus Wright: The sharks that hunt in forests

The sharks that hunt in forests

Forests don't usually come to mind as a habitat for sharks. But marine forests provide a home for 35% of the world's sharks. Mangrove forests in particular function as an essential bridge between land and sea and have evolved various adaptations that protect them and their resident sharks. Luka Seamus Wright explores these unique and vital ecosystems. [Directed by William Cifuentes, Lucy Animation Studio, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Salil Bhayani].

Marine forests like mangroves, kelp, and seagrass are home to 35% of the world’s sharks, offering shelter and vital hunting grounds. Mangrove forests, where young sharks evade predators among tangled roots, act as a bridge between land and sea. These unique trees have evolved to survive salty, oxygen-poor conditions, supporting entire food webs. Marine forests also play a critical role in locking away carbon, capturing 3% of annual global carbon emissions each year.