Photo: Bob Thomas / The Image Bank / Getty Images
During a live performance at China's Primitive Forest Park, 22-year-old Russian mermaid performer Mariia Zelenina had an experience she won’t be trying to have again. During her show, a giant sturgeon attacked her and engulfed her head with its mouth. Despite the giant fish eating her head, she managed to free herself and surface, though she sustained bruises to her face, head, and neck. The aquarium's management allegedly offered her just $100 in compensation and urged her to keep the incident quiet. However, it turns out that it didn’t matter; footage captured by a spectator quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and criticism. Zelenina said that she received immediate medical attention and would return to work once fully recovered. You know, from having her head swallowed by a giant fish.
