A bull shark that tore a chunk out of a British tourist leaving him in intensive care would likely have “head-butted” him first before sinking its teeth.
The 64-year-old from Hertfordshire had to have his fingers surgically reattached and “extensive work” on one of his legs after the beast struck near the Starfish Hotel in Courland Bay, Tobago. A 10,000 US dollar bounty had initially been put on the eight to 10ft long monster after the attack and several beaches and coastal areas were closed, much like in the Speilberg classic, Jaws.
During a press conference, Farley Augustine, Tobago’s chief secretary revealed the unfortunate victim had been soaking up sun on holiday with his wife and pals and had initially planned to return home that very day. He was later said to be “doing well” at Scarborough General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit after undergoing surgery.
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Bull sharks are known for their aggressive nature and presence in mainly shallow water.
(Image: TTT News)
Marine expert, Frankie Hobro, director of Anglesey Sea Zoo in North Wales, who has encountered the creatures herself told the Daily Star: “This attack took place just 10m off shore in shallow waters when the victim was standing at waist depth in the water, and this is a typical scenario for a bull shark attack.
“Bull sharks get their name from their short, blunt snout, as well as their aggressive disposition and a tendency to threatening ‘hunching’ behaviour and head-butting their prey before attacking.
“They are often found in large numbers in particular coastal locations and they are one of the three shark species most likely to attack humans, alongside great whites and tiger sharks.”
Though much smaller, bull sharks can grow to a maximum length of just over three metres and 230kgs in weight.
Humans are not normally part of their usual diet but due to them living in coastal waters and rivers, the chances of a run-in with one is much higher.
“The vast majority of attacks by great white sharks are likely to be a case of mistaken identity while bull shark attacks are often deliberate aggression and territorial behaviour,” Frankie said.
“Larger-sized bull sharks are probably responsible for the majority of nearshore shark attacks globally, including many incidents of shark bites which are attributed to other species.
“The bite force of a bull shark is in the top 10 of the most powerful bites of any animal in the world but it doesn’t come close to that a great white shark.
“So as smaller and less powerful sharks the result of their attacks, although they can be severe, are much less likely to be fatal than those inflicted by a great white or tiger shark.”
Due to their aggressive nature, shark-culling of bull sharks is common near beaches in order to protect beachgoers. As a result the species is now listed as vulnerable.
But Frankie stressed the importance of respecting them as part of the marine eco system and called for a better understanding in a bid to “protect the balance of our marine food web.”
She added: “I have swum, snorkelled and dived with schools of sharks on numerous occasions all over the world – including bull sharks many times – and I can vouch for the awesomeness of these amazing animals up close.
(Image: Starfish Hotel)
“It is important to reiterate that shark attacks are extremely rare although highly hyped when they occur, for obvious reasons, which unfortunately gives sharks in general a very bad press.
“However, statistically the chances of being attacked by a shark are about as low as is possible in the scheme of things, with on average just five shark-caused deaths globally every year.
“In fact you are 30 times more likely to be killed by a falling coconut – a fate which dispatches around 150 people a year.”
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