Kangaroo Island father goes viral after wrangling shark off American River Jetty

A Kangaroo Island father has gone viral after mind-blowing video emerged of him wrangling a 3m monster shark – but his bold act has left viewers divided.

A Kangaroo Island father of two has left onlookers stunned, earning himself the title of “shark wrangler” after wrestling with a monster bronze whaler and taking it for a ride.

Tristan Turner was fishing with his sons off American River jetty on Kangaroo Island over Easter this year, when the boys accidentally reeled in a mega 3m bronze whaler.

When Mr Turner, who used to wrangle crocodiles off a mate’s property in the Northern Territory, entered the water to remove the hook from the shark’s mouth, inspiration struck.

“People that know me know that I love the water and I do some pretty out there stuff,” he told 7NEWS.

Kangaroo Island father Tristan Turner has gone viral after wrestling a mega bronze whaler off American River Jetty. Picture: 7NEWS

“I love nature and love investigating and catching stuff ... it has always been a dream of mine to swim with one (a shark) and I had the opportunity.

“When I let it go, I just hung on to its fin and went on for a ride.”

Wild footage shows Mr Turner wrestling with the shark as it writhes on the shallow boat ramp before dragging it back into the water.

The keen fisherman says he had always wanted to swim with a shark – and took his chance. Picture: 7NEWS

He then grabs onto the shark’s fin, while one of his sons shouts: ‘Dad, no!’, before allowing it to drag him briefly underwater away from the jetty.

As the shocked crowd of bystanders cheers, the daredevil dad lets go and swims back to safety.

The video had previously been shared only among family – but over the weekend, Mr Turner’s sister decided to share his escapade to social media.

The footage quickly garnered hundreds of comments, with some praising the keen fisho’s bold move and others slamming the act as “animal cruelty”.

But Mr Turner said it was just an opportunity for others to see the powerful creature up close and personal.

“Not many families and kids get to see a shark up close really, unless it’s in an aquarium ... so it was eye-opening for them to have a look,” he said.