River Monsters

Jeremy Wade journeys to a remote river in South Africa, a location that gained notoriety in 2009 when the largest bull shark ever recorded was captured there. The programme follows his expedition to this isolated waterway, the very spot of that historic 2009 catch.

Hidden Predator is a television programme presented in an episode format. The series focuses on encounters with dangerous aquatic creatures, and each installment follows a host as they investigate notable incidents and habitats linked to these predators. Each episode combines field investigation with expert commentary to give viewers a clearer picture of these hidden threats. In this particular episode, host Jeremy Wade journeys to a secluded river situated in a remote part of South Africa. His purpose is to explore the site where, back in 2009, the largest bull shark ever documented was taken from the water. Wade’s investigation centres on the circumstances surrounding that record‑breaking capture and the environment that produced such a massive specimen. Wade examines the historical records of the catch, noting its place in shark measurement archives, and considers the ecological factors that may have contributed to the shark’s growth. The river, tucked away in an isolated region, provides a stark backdrop for Wade’s inquiry. By travelling to this far‑flung location, he aims to gain insight into the conditions that allowed a bull shark of unprecedented size to thrive and eventually be caught. The isolation of the waterway means that few researchers have accessed it, making Wade’s expedition particularly noteworthy. Through on‑site observations and discussion of the 2009 catch, the episode highlights the remarkable nature of that bull shark and underscores the challenges of studying apex predators in remote freshwater settings. The episode also touches on how such extreme specimens can influence local perceptions of riverine predators.