HOW HIGH CAN A SHARK JUMP?

A SHARK AT THE ATLANTIS RESORT IN THE BAHAMAS JUMPED OUT OF ITS AQUARIUM . . . AND INTO THE HOTEL POOL:

At the risk of sounding dumb . . . do you think animals understand the concept of suicide? I ask because last week, a shark at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas somehow leaped out of its tank and onto a nearby water slide . . . which led to the hotel pool.

According to a statement released by the resort, "a 12-year-old reef shark jumped over an 18-inch wide and one-foot high sustaining structure into the resort's Leap of Faith water slide. "Once the shark fell onto the slide and into the chlorinated water, it was in significant distress. The Marine Aquarium Operations team responded immediately and was able to . . . return the animal to the main marine habitat in an attempt to resuscitate her.

Despite the team's best efforts to recover the animal, it DIED shortly after the occurrence . . . The entire team at Atlantis is saddened by the loss of this animal who had resided in the Atlantis marine habitat for over ten years."

The pool wasn't open at the time, and no one was injured (--other than the shark). (TMZ)

(--Take a look at some pictures of the shark and the rescue operation . . .)

Check out the Atlantis Resort's website: http://www.atlantis.com/explore/thebahamas.aspx