Two Massive Sharks Close Beaches In Australia: Great White Attacks Teen Nearby
Two huge sharks have forced beaches in Newcastle, Australia, to close in order to ensure that people are safe. According to People Magazine, Burwood beach was closed after a 16-foot great white shark was spotted on Jan. 10. On Jan. 15, an 11-foot tiger shark was spotted in the area, feeding on dolphins that were swimming near the shore. While the two monster sharks haven’t been seen in days, officials are hesitant to reopen beaches in the area.
Two Monster Sharks Are Eating Dolphins And Closing Aussie Beaches, pic via @dailytelegraph http://t.co/zZC27fxcNt pic.twitter.com/mZmuNTdOvk
— Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) January 16, 2015
“There were no sightings on the sharks on Saturday, but Burwood Beach will remained closed until 24 hours pass without one. Crews were taking to the air Sunday to look for the sharks before the decision is made to reopen the beach.”
Sharks are not super uncommon in the area, and are spotted from time to time throughout the year. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, dolphins in the water near the shore alerts officials that sharks may be close behind. Since many species of sharks feed on dolphins, it is presumed that where there is a pod, there is a beast lurking nearby — and sometimes, there is more than one predator on the prowl, such as in this instance.
Australia’s Newcastle Beach has been closed for SEVEN days because of sharks-one was caught on camera by Peter Stoop. pic.twitter.com/7VlasvuqQM
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) January 16, 2015
And while the warnings have been posted, some people are still brave enough to enter the water at beaches along the coast, even if those beaches have been closed. According to KHOU, divers ignored the warnings and headed into the ocean to spear fish.
While it is unclear if there were warnings further south of Newcastle, a 17-year-old boy was attacked by a shark in the coastal town of Ulladulla. The boy had been trying to film the great white at the time of the attack. The boy was treated for “lacerations to his hand and fingers,” and was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
“He said it spun around and started coming for him, so he stabbed it with his spear to try and scare it off, but it just went ballistic and bit him.”
It is unknown when beaches will reopen, but many expect it will be some time this week.
[Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons &Twitter]
