[MUSIC PLAYING]
NARRATOR: Guadalupe island is
the field lab for a research
team trying to crack
the mystery of why
great white sharks
are killing more
than 200 sea otters every year.
The first experiment
has Jimi Partington
on his back in the
ghost raft, simulating
a floating sea otter.
Will this position make him more
vulnerable to a curious shark?
JIMI PARTINGTON:
During this experiment,
most of the approaches
have been from behind.
But when I see the
shark coming face on,
they seem to know that.
So I really think
that's something
to do with eye contact here.
This seems to be proving it.
And I think that's why these
otters are more vulnerable.
You know, they're lying on
their back on the surface.
They're not using
the eye contact.
They can't see the sharks
coming and the sharks
know that as well.
NARRATOR: Now Jimi is being
encircled by a massive 15
foot shark called, the Joker.
She is known for being
extremely inquisitive,
which may be how she
earned her giant scar.
She's the perfect test
subject for this experiment.
Scientists have tracked
big females like this
to and from California
waters, where
she's probably had numerous
encounters with otters.
JIMI PARTINGTON: This
is Joker right here.
Came straight up on my side.
Oh my God, that was unreal.
The same shark, exactly
that same shark.
NARRATOR: The
ghost raft survived
the side impact from Joker.
JIMI PARTINGTON: It's coming
straight back in now on me.
NARRATOR: But now Joker
turns around for another go.
 [INAUDIBLE]
JIMI PARTINGTON:
[BLEEP] [BLEEP] [BLEEP]
 [INAUDIBLE]
JIMI PARTINGTON: That was cool.
Hang on.
I got a crack here.
It's here.
You can see it?
A big crack in the plexiglass.
I'm hoping this
thing's going to hold.
 [INAUDIBLE]
JIMI PARTINGTON: [BLEEP]
NARRATOR: The
experiment is a success,
but with Joker becoming bolder,
it's time to exit the water.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
