Great white shark gets stuck in divers’ cage

Disturbing video has surfaced showing a great white shark trying to squeeze into a cage with divers inside at Mexico’s Guadalupe Island.

Disturbing video has surfaced showing a great white shark trying to squeeze into a cage with divers inside at Mexico’s Guadalupe Island. (Warning: The video contains graphic footage.)

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Mexican activist Arturo Islas Allende shared the video to his social media platforms under a title that translates to “Negligence kills white shark.” He implicated a Nautilus Dive Adventures vessel and complained that cage openings were not adjusted in a manner to keep sharks and divers safe.

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The divers, who were clearly frightened as the massive predator writhed after getting its head stuck in a cage opening, were not injured. It remains unclear whether the shark, in fact, perished after its ordeal.

Nautilus Liveaboards had not responded to inquiries about the incident, which occurred in October, at the time of this post.

Guadalupe Island is seasonal home to dozens of adult great white sharks and regarded as one of the world’s premier shark-diving destinations. In typical situations, crews on the vessels will pull baits toward cages so divers in cages can photograph the apex predators in close quarters.

Crews are not allowed to feed sharks, and cages must meet specifications set by the Mexican government.

Michael Domeier, president and executive director of the Marine Conservation Science Institute, has conducted extensive shark research at Guadalupe Island. Many sharks are identifiable based on distinctive markings and are part of an expansive database.

Domeier told For The Win Outdoors that the shark in the video is named Stouffer.

Domeier declined to guess why the shark tried to get inside the cage, but added: “It doesn’t look to me like the bait was too close. For some reason that shark wanted what was in the cage. It hit the cage, backed up, then charged again. It could have turned and swam away.”

–Images and video are courtesy of Arturo Islas Allende

Burmese pythons to be part of Super Bowl LIV

In a lead-up to Super Bowl LIV, the state of Florida is hosting the Python Bowl as part of the big game’s philanthropic focus.

As a lead-up to Super Bowl LIV and in concert with the Miami Super Bowl Host committee, the Python Bowl will be staged in the Everglades on Jan. 10-19 as part of the Super Bowl’s philanthropic focus.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, holding what looked to be a python-skinned football, announced Thursday the opening of registration for the 2020 Python Challenge Python Bowl, a python-catching contest that will help rid the Everglades of the invasive constrictors.

The pro and rookie catching the longest python will each win $2,000. The most pythons in both pro and rookie categories will win a $5,000 Tracker 570 Off Road ATV. Other money and prizes will be by random drawings. The winners will be announced Jan. 25 at a Super Bowl LIV event. The actual Super Bowl is Feb. 2.

The Python Bowl is open to the public, but those who register must first complete a free online training on how to safely catch and handle pythons.

“The protection of our environment and natural resources is critical,” Governor DeSantis said. “Invasive Burmese pythons have decimated local wildlife and pose a massive threat to natural food chains and flora and fauna. The 2020 Python Bowl is sure to be a great success, and I look forward to the positive effects it will have on preserving and protecting the Everglades ecosystem.”

The governor also announced that python contractors will immediately be able to access over 150 miles of secondary trails within Big Cypress National Park.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Hikers take risk Grand Canyon officials warn against

Pythons were discovered in the Everglades two decades ago and have established a population estimated to be over 100,000. The creatures are causing serious damage to the ecosystem of the Everglades as they feed on native wildlife like deer, bobcats, alligators, possum and rabbits.

The Florida Wildlife Commission and South Florida Water Management District instituted an eradication program that rewards python hunters for catching the invasive species. The Python Bowl is in addition to that program.

“As a conservation biologist, it is exciting to be completely aligned with our policy-makers including FWC Commissioners and the governor to combat this important conservation issue,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission executive director Eric Sutton said.

Every Super Bowl has a philanthropic focus and, for the first time, the environment has been chosen as the emphasis with the Ocean to Everglades (OSE) initiative, involving the Host Committee, the Everglades Foundation and Ocean Conservancy.

Rodney Barreto, chairman of the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, sits on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“We know Governor DeSantis and many partners have long been committed to environmental initiatives like this,” Barreto said. “With the support of the Miami Super Bowl Committee, we now have a broader audience ready to learn more about the unique ecosystem of South Florida and how they can help conserve it.”

Photo of Florida governor Ron DeSantis holding a python-skinned football courtesy of the Governor’s Press Office.

Four people holding a record 17-foot python courtesy of Big Cypress National Preserve.

Three people holding massive python courtesy of USGS.

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How to Watch Monarcas vs. Club America, Liga MX Semifinal Live Stream, Schedule, US TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Monarcas vs. Club America Live Online.

If you love drama and upsets with your soccer, the Liga MX Playoffs are perfect for you. The quarterfinal stage this weekend was beyond crazy, with all top-four seeds eliminated for only the second time ever in the Mexican league. Now it’s time for the semifinals, and with four underdogs playing for two spots in the title game, we could be in for even more surprises and unforgettable moments.

Monarcas vs. Club America (First Leg)

  • Date: Thurs. Dec. 5
  • Time: 9:30 PM ET
  • TV Channel: Univision, TUDN
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

The second semifinal starts on Thursday between two teams that gave us plenty of emotion during the quarterfinals. Monarcas opened with a wild 3-3 draw against No. 2 León, who had a chance to confirm its status as favorites with a second leg at home. However, Monarcas somehow prevailed with a 2-1 win, which included a last-minute León goal disallowed by VAR that would have sent the team home. After getting all the drama it could handle, Monarcas is arguably the best team left in the tournament. 

América looked all but out after a home loss to Tigres in the first leg. Then the team pulled off an amazing comeback in the second leg with a 4-2 win. Defeating the defending champions gives the team a giant confidence boost going into Thursday’s match.

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How to Watch Cowboys vs. Bears, NFL Week 14 Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Cowboys vs. Bears Live Online.

The Cowboys (6-6) and Bears (6-6) continue their seasons with a Thursday night showdown at Soldier Field. Dallas leads the all-time series 15-11 and has won the last two games, including a 31-17 victory at AT&T Stadium. Can the Bears continue their two-game win streak with a victory at home or will the Cowboys return to their winning ways in a matchup that dates back nearly fifty years to their first contest in 1960?

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Cowboys vs. Bears

  • When: Thursday, December 5
  • Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • TV: FOX
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

Jerry Jones’ head is spinning in Dallas. What is going on with the Cowboys? America’s team has lost two straight games, including a 26-15 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills, and three of its last four. The good news is that the Cowboys still possess one of the best offenses in the NFL and are in first place in a weak NFC East division. Dak Prescott threw for 355 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He leads the league with 3,788 yards passing. Ezekiel Elliott had 12 carries for 71 yards in addition to seven catches for 66 yards. Amari Cooper led the team with eight catches for 85 yards. Both Elliott and Cooper are just shy of 1,000 yards rushing and receiving, respectively. A productive game from Elliott is key to winning the time of possession battle and setting up the play-action passing game. 

Defensively, the Cowboys gave up nearly 275 all-purpose yards to quarterback Josh Allen, 110 of those from former Dallas wideout Cole Beasley. Jaylon Smith is one of the best linebackers in the NFL and ranks third with 112 tackles on the season. He racked up 14 against the Bills, while teammate Sean Lee added 12 more and Jourdan Lewis picked up six tackles and two sacks. 

Da Bears. Da Bears have won back-to-back games and are 6-6 on the season. Their success rides on the arm of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. If he can avoid turning the ball over, then Chicago can stay in the game. Last weekend in Detroit, Trubisky completed 29 of 38 passes for 338 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. David Montgomery rushed for 75 yards and added a receiving score late in the fourth quarter to put the Bears on top and give them the 24-20 win. Wide receiver Anthony Miller had a career game with nine catches for 140 yards. The offense is averaging a mere 17.7 points per game, 27th best in the NFL, and will have to put points on the board if it wants to compete with a high-powered Cowboys offense.

While the offense has struggled for most of the season, the defense is fourth in the NFL in points allowed (17.3) and in the Top 10 in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards allowed. Roquan Smith racked up 15 tackles and two sacks against the Lions and gives the Bears a formidable 1-2 punch at linebacker with Khalil Mack.

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13 fun facts about the Super Bowl

Some facts about the NFL’s championship game.

The Super Bowl is the biggest spectacle in sports, from the pre-game hype to the parties to the annual traditions that fans have around it to the halftime show to, well, the game itself.

But how many facts do you know about the NFL’s annual AFC vs. NFC championship game? You might have some of these already at your fingertips. But others? These will be perfect to drop at your next Super Bowl party — that is, if you have time between eating, watching the game and commenting on the commercials.

Here are 13 fun Super Bowl facts we came up with:

1. Why it’s called the “Super Bowl”

The timing of when the AFC-NFC title game got its name is slightly disputed, but the legend is Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt coined it based off the “super ball” toy his daughter and son played with.

2. A total of 12 teams have never won a Super Bowl

That list includes: the Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Texans, Chagers, Titans, Cardinals, Panthers, Falcons, Bengals, Bills and Vikings. Of that group, the Browns, Lions, Jaguars and Texans have never made it to the big game in their existence.

3. There’s only one starting quarterback who has won a Super Bowl title with two different teams

And his name is Peyton Manning.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

4. Only one man has been named MVP for the losing team

And his name is Chuck Howley. The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V, but Howley (two interceptions) was voted most valuable player.

5. The game has gone to overtime once

That was Super Bowl LI, better known as the championship game in which the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead to the Patriots.

6. The AFC team and NFC team take turns being the home team

Also, if you didn’t know there was a designated home and away team despite the fact that it’s played at a neutral site, now you do.

7. The Patriots have appeared in the most Super Bowls

That would 11 as of the 2019 season, three more than the Steelers, Cowboys and Broncos.

8. The Patriots and Broncos have lost the most Super Bowls

As of 2019, they both have five losses under their belts.

9. There’s a good reason why the NFL uses Roman numerals to refer to the Super Bowl

From Dictionary.com:

“Lamar Hunt is also credited for introducing Roman numerals to keep track of the championship title bowls…. Super Bowl V was the first such bowl to be numbered using this system. An excerpt from the NFL media guide explains further:

The Roman numerals were adopted to clarify any confusion that may occur because the NFL Championship Game—the Super Bowl—is played in the year following a chronologically recorded season. Numerals I through IV were added later for the first four Super Bowls.”

10. But Super Bowl 50 used numbers and not an “L”

11. Super Bowl LIII was the lowest scoring Super Bowl in the game’s history

The Patriots beat the Rams 13-3.

12. The game has been played in 10 different states

That would be Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and Texas.

13. The Vince Lombardi Trophy is a football “mounted in a kicking position”

That’s according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which tells this great story about then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle reaching out to Tiffany and Co. to make the trophy:

The only company he contacted was Tiffany, which brought in the company’s design chief, Oscar Riedener, a native of Switzerland who knew nothing about football. Reidener went to FAO Schwartz and bought a football that he put on his kitchen table. The next morning he grabbed a box of Cornflakes, poured them into a bowl, and stared at the football while eating.

Upon finishing his Cornflakes, he took a pair of scissors, started cutting the empty box, and transformed it into a trophy base atop which the football could sit.

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How many majors has Tiger Woods won?

See the list of Tiger Woods’ major wins, from the 1997 Masters to his incredible win in 2019.

Tiger Woods completed his remarkable comeback to the top of professional golf in 2018, winning the PGA Tour Championship, and followed up his success with another major win the following spring. Woods’ career-long pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ major record is back on track, and after an early-season win in Japan, Woods will once again be considered a favorite in every event he participates in. Just how close is Woods to the major record? Let’s take a look back at all of his major championship wins.

Tiger Woods has won a total of 15 major championships in his career, and is three majors away from tying the all-time record held by Jack Nicklaus.

Woods broke an 11-year major winless-streak in 2019, winning the Masters for the fifth time in his career.

Here’s the full rundown of Woods’ major championships:

1997 Masters

Course: Augusta National Golf Club

Score: -18

Margin of victory: 12 strokes

1999 PGA Championship

Course: Medinah Country Club

Score: -11

Margin of victory: 1 stroke

2000 U.S. Open

Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links

Score: -12

Margin of victory: 15 strokes

2000 Open Championship

Course: Old Course, St. Andrews

Score: -19

Margin of victory: 8 strokes

2000 PGA Championship

Course: Valhalla Golf Club

Score: -18

Margin of victory: Playoff

2001 Masters

Course: Augusta National Golf Club

Score: -16

Margin of victory: 2 strokes

2002 Masters

Course: Augusta National Golf Club

Score: -12

Margin of victory: 3 strokes

2002 U.S. Open

Course: Bethpage Black

Score: -3

Margin of victory: 3 strokes

2005 Masters

Course: Augusta National Golf Club

Score: -12

Margin of victory: Playoff

2005 Open Championship

Course: Old Course, St. Andrews

Score: -14

Margin of victory: 5 strokes

2006 Open Championship

Course: Royal Liverpool

Score: -18

Margin of victory: 2 strokes

2006 PGA Championship

Course: Medinah Country Club

Score: -18

Margin of victory: 5 strokes

2007 PGA Championship

Course: Southern Hills Country Club

Score: -8

Margin of victory: 2 strokes

2008 U.S. Open

Course: Torrey Pines

Score: -1

Margin of victory: Playoff

2019 Masters

Course: Augusta National Golf Club

Score: -13

Margin of victory: 1 stroke

You can see all of our golf coverage here.

Massive Mola mola surprises whale watchers

For a group of whale watchers on Tuesday, the highlight did not involve whales or dolphins, but a bizarre-looking fish called a Mola mola.

For a group of San Diego whale watchers on Tuesday, the highlight did not involve whales or dolphins, but a bizarre-looking fish called a Mola mola.

The surprise encounter occurred 10 miles southwest of Mission Bay as Capt. Domenic Biagini, of Gone Whale Watching San Diego, was searching for cetaceans. The Mola mola, or ocean sunfish, stood out because of its immense size and pale coloration as it lolled beneath the surface.

“It was really neat because most of the people on the boat specialized in diving, so this whole trip was something different for them,” Biagini told For The Win Outdoors. “Right as they got on the boat they asked about molas, and I explained how we haven’t seen that many this year. So for this to have happened on this specific trip made it that much more special.”

Mola molas are the world’s largest bony fishes (these do not include sharks or rays) and can measure up to 14 feet and weigh 5,000 pounds. They inhabit tropical and temperate seas and feed primarily on sea jellies, squid, small fish, and crustaceans.

Because of their truncated bodies, the position of their fins, and their odd-shaped mouths, their appearance is otherworldly. Or, as the Monterey Bay Aquarium states on its website, “Ocean sunfish, or molas, look like the invention of a mad scientist.”


Biagini said most Mola molas encountered off Southern California measure 2 to 3 feet, but the sunfish that swam around his boat for 10 minutes on Tuesday measured at least 7 feet.

“It was by far the largest I’ve ever seen,” he said.

The divers on the boat were so impressed that some were tempted to jump in for a swim with the docile critter. “It was hard keeping them in the boat,” Biagini joked. “But everyone behaved.”

–Images courtesy of Gone Whale Watching San Diego

How to view your Spotify Wrapped songs of the year, and songs of the decade

Want to see the music you listened to the most in 2019 and the 2010s on Spotify? We’ve got you covered.

Spotify is the music app of choice for many people (myself included) and one nice thing they do every year is crunch your data and then tell you exactly what songs and artists you listened to the most over the past year.

It’s called Spotify Wrapped, and it’s not only good at showing you what you listened to, it’s also great at revealing your emotional state. This year, they’re also looking back at the entire decade of what you listened to, so you get a look back on ten years of emotional states. I found out I listened to a TON of Elliott Smith back in 2013, and you know what, that makes a lot of sense! I will not be delving into any more details about that!

Want yours? Easy.

To find your top songs of the year and of the decade, you can view it via the Spotify app or via their Spotify Wrapped website.

Go forth and enjoy.

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How to Watch Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur Live Online.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho returns to Old Trafford on Wednesday and will face Manchester United as an opponent for the first time since the Red Devils sacked him almost one year ago. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be eager to show his side has grown since Mourinho’s dismissal, with a chance to possibly jump up in the standings.

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Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

  • When: Wednesday, December 4
  • Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: NBCSN
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

Tottenham boasts a perfect record in three matches under Mourinho so far, having most recently defeated Bournemouth 3-2 at home on Saturday. However, that was also the third time the team has conceded two goals in as many matches under the new coach. The Red Devils extended their winless run to three matches after drawing 2-2 at home to Villa on Sunday, the seventh time in their last eight games that they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet.

Lucas Moura scored twice when Tottenham thrashed United 3-0 in its last trip to Old Trafford in August 2018, when Mourinho was still employed by the latter. The North Londoners failed to score in four visits to the grounds prior to that, ending their drought in sensational style.

The Special One finds himself back in the away dugout, seeking what would be his 10th career victory against United in his 21st meeting. He’s only lost three times in those previous 20 clashes, twice while he was Chelsea manager and once at Inter Milan. Mourinho has traveled to Old Trafford on nine occasions and won in three of those—twice with the Blues in 2005 and once in March 2013 with Real Madrid.

United has lost once at home this season (three wins, three draws), while the Spurs clinched their first away league victory this term when Mourinho’s squad won 3-2 at West Ham in his debut.

Solskjaer is under some pressure to produce a win against his club’s former coach nearly one year after he took over at United, initially in a caretaker role. The Norwegian isn’t expected to have midfield star Paul Pogba back from an ankle injury until mid-December, while defenders Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are chasing fitness.

Mourinho appears to have had a rejuvenating effect on Dele Alli, who has scored or assisted in each of the three games and netted twice in the win over Bournemouth.

Reputations are on the line at Old Trafford when United seeks to fend off Mourinho’s soaring Spurs in what looks to be a vital fixture in the race for European qualification.

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Plea issued after deer becomes entangled in Christmas lights

An animal care facility in California is asking people to keep wildlife in mind while decorating their homes for the holidays.

An animal care facility in California is asking people to keep wildlife in mind while decorating their homes for the holidays.

The plea was issued Monday after an Animal Services Officer with Marin Humane responded to reports of a deer that had become become entangled in Christmas lights in the Marin County town of San Anselmo.

Jessica Needham of the nonprofit was not able to free the buck of its burden, but did take photographs to illustrate the extent of the entanglement.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Nature’s artistry revealed in stunning whale photo

“Catching deer is extremely difficult and catching a buck is even trickier,” Marin Humane announced in a statement. “Our officers would have to use a control pole to get a handle on him, which leaves them open to the risk of being charged and injured. Luckily, this guy is still able to graze and run just fine.”

The group stated that it’ll continue to “monitor the situation” and expressed hope that the buck will become free of the lights when he sheds his antlers during the winter.

Lisa Bloch, a Marin Humane spokeswoman, told the San Jose Mercury News that the Christmas lights were likely strewn loosely around bushes or between trees in the rural neighborhood, “and the deer just walked into them.”

The group, which is not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement:

“This serves as a good reminder that when hanging holiday decorations, make sure they’re secure and high enough where they’re less likely to be an issue for wildlife.

“We’re lucky to share our space with so many animals so let’s be mindful of their safety, even when we’re getting festive!”

–Images courtesy of Jessica Needham/Marin Humane