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 on Tuesday, 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, quote, "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)