Shark Attacks Will Reach Record-high Numbers This Summer

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Two people were reportedly attacked by sharks on Sunday within hours of each other. The attacks happened on opposite sides of the US coasts, reported ABC News.

In Northern Florida, a 13-year-old boy was bitten in the lower right leg by a 5.5 foot long shark in waist-high water. The boy was bitten all the way down to the bone, said the Neptune Beach Police Department. He was transported to the nearest hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Under two hours later, a woman was attacked on the west coast at Corona Del Mar State Beach in California. The woman was bitten on her upper torso and shoulder while swimming outside the protected area of water. The state of her injuries remains unknown.

These Memorial Day weekend attacks might actually just be the beginning. Beachgoers should be on the lookout as experts are warning that shark attacks may hit a record high this summer.

The rise in shark attacks is expected to surpass last year's record number of 98, according to Reuters.

"We should have more bites this year than last," said George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida.

Why the increase? Shark populations are recovering from all-time lows, the human population has grown, and the hot temperature means more swimming from beachgoers.

But let's not get too worried. Just a quick reminder that it was reported that you're more likely to die from taking a selfie than a shark attack.