Santa Claus joins sharks for a holiday swim at a Rio de Janeiro aquarium

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Santa Claus has arrived in Rio de Janeiro — under water.

Starting on Saturday, he’ll be spotted at AquaRio Marine Aquarium swimming with sharks during their daily fish feeding sessions as part of the city’s Christmas festivities.

Nine-year-old Guilherme Martins Matos said he’d seen Santa — or at least an impersonator — at the mall. That was cool, he said, but this was better.

“Imagine him under water feeding the fish? It’s even cooler,” Guilherme told The Associated Press.

This version of Santa Claus is Felippe Luna, 39, a senior animal handler at AquaRio. What began as a joke among staff has become an annual tradition.

Dressed as Santa, Luna dives into the aquarium’s 924,602-gallon tank to feed marine animals, including sharks. “For the kids, seeing Santa Claus under water is already incredible. And Santa feeding a shark by hand? That’s unforgettable,” Luna said.

The Santa Claus dive runs daily at AquaRio through Dec. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

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Diver Felipe Luna, dressed in a Santa Claus suit, swims inside a tank at the AquaRio Marine Aquarium as part of an annual Christmas tradition, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/ Bruna Prado)

Divers dressed as Mother Christmas and Santa Claus, swim inside a tank at the AquaRio Marine Aquarium as part of an annual Christmas tradition, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/ Bruna Prado)

Diver Felipe Luna, dressed in a Santa Claus suit, swims inside a tank at the AquaRio Marine Aquarium as part of an annual Christmas tradition, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/ Bruna Prado)

Visitors watch divers dressed as Mother Christmas and Santa Claus swim inside a tank at the AquaRio Marine Aquarium, as part of an annual Christmas tradition, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/ Bruna Prado)

Diver Felipe Luna, dressed as Santa Claus, fist bumps a visitor, from inside a tank at the AquaRio Marine Aquarium, as part of an annual Christmas tradition, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/ Bruna Prado)

Diver Felipe Luna, dressed in a Santa Claus suit, swims inside a tank at the AquaRio Marine Aquarium as part of an annual Christmas tradition, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/ Bruna Prado)

Diver Felipe Luna, dressed in a Santa Claus suit, swims upside down while waving to a visitor, inside a tank at the AquaRio Marine Aquarium as part of an annual Christmas tradition, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/ Bruna Prado)

Rubi Patricia Vergara was a talented young teenager who often handcrafted gifts for others and shared her musical talents with many, family friends recounted at funeral services held Saturday morning.

Vergara, 14, was a student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where she was shot and killed by a fellow student Monday. Teacher Erin West, 42, was also killed in the attack.

“She was a quiet, gentle spirit who cared deeply for others,” City Church lead pastor Tom Flaherty said. “But Rubi also had a faith beyond her years.”

Vergara’s services were held at City Church, which is adjacent to the school. West’s funeral is set for Monday at Doxa Church in Madison, according to her obituary.

Two other injured students remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition but were stable, UW Hospital said.

A family friend, Dawn Moris, spoke about Vergara's compassion and empathy. Vergara made personalized birthday cards for loved ones with digital artwork, origami and had started crocheting. Moris showed those in the congregation a small crocheted smiley face potato crafted by Vergara.

“She applied a caring and creative approach to everything she did,” Moris said.

Vergara played keyboard in a family worship band and could hear a song and pick it up on the piano, Moris said. As a singer, she had a special talent of harmonizing and “sang like an angel,” Moris said.

Vergara's aunt played her niece's favorite song, “Shoulders" by for King & Country, on the guitar during the service. Her uncle, Andy Remus, thanked the people of Madison for supporting his family this past week.

Police say the shooter, 15-year-old student Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, shot herself at the school and died at a Madison hospital. Police have said she was in contact with a man in California who authorities say was planning to attack a government building. Rupnow's motivation for the attack remains a key part of their investigation.

Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, who was killed in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, is laid to rest during a graveside memorial service at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona Wis. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. ( John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)

The casket of Rubi Patricia Vergara, who was killed at Abundant Life Christian School, is carried out of the church following funeral service at City Church in Madison, Wis. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)

FILE - Dan Beazley stands with the homemade cross he brought from Michigan for victims of a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave, File)