Bull Shark Swims Into Florida Backyard, Startling Residents
A video of a large bull shark has been filmed in Bonita Beach, Florida, prompting one resident, who spotted the predator swimming in his backyard, to speak out about the activities of local fishermen.
The clip was filmed from a series of condos that line Hickory Boulevard in Bonita Springs, according to USA Today. Though the resident who filmed the clip has not been identified, a bull shark measuring eight to nine feet long can clearly be seen as it swims along the edge of a garden which directly connects to a local waterway. According to NBC-2, the man who filmed the video also spoke out about against the behavior of local fishermen, who he blamed for attracting sharks to the region.
“Neighbors say people are chumming — throwing bait into the water — which is causing the sharks to return. Now, they are asking the city to get involved and prohibit fishing as well as designate the area as a swimming only area.”
Though imposing and certainly frightening to local residents, the large bull shark isn’t the first predator to be filmed in Bonita Springs this year. Last month, a massive shark of an indeterminate species was filmed at Bonita beach as it nearly swam ashore. As the Inquisitr previously reported, the shark was spotted by a family in shallow water, and after they exited the ocean, the animal came into the surf, where its fin could be seen breaking the surface.
Shark found lurking in Bonita Springs in man´s backyard! http://t.co/aZ9eacpvlv via @pbpost #SWFL pic.twitter.com/btZK2srs1a
— Bice Grand Cafe (@BiceGrandCafe) April 17, 2015
Just a few days later, another shark was filmed near Bonita beach, attempting to cannibalize a smaller specimen. A group of fishermen had hooked a small blacktip shark and were astonished to see a much larger hammerhead shark approach their catch. As they filmed, the hammerhead circled their boat, before moving in and attempting to prey upon the blacktip shark, which was held in place by the anglers’ line.
“@winknews:: Hammerhead tries to eat small blacktip shark off Bonita Beach http://t.co/K3sYDVCtTj #SWFL pic.twitter.com/7q0uBub4ov”
— Melville Vogel (@MelvilleVogel) April 16, 2015
Sharks have repeatedly been sighted along both Florida coasts over the last month, as warming water temperatures have set in motion yearly patterns of migration. Large groupings of spinner and blacktip sharks have been spotted in both the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast, including a massive gathering that was filmed from an oil rig in Louisiana.
The city of Bonita Springs has directed residents to contact the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with their concerns about the bull shark and its brethren, and local homeowners assert that they will continue to seek assistance in dealing with the predators.
