Shark attacks have plagued the coastal waters off Australia in recent years, with related incidents involving both fatalities and injuries. Experts say fatal shark attacks are rare. However, they do occur in small numbers or even during unprovoked instances. Measures such as temporary beach closures were taken by local authorities, yet Australian shark attacks have continued.
One of the latest incidents involved the mauling of an 11-year-old boy by an unknown species of shark while snorkeling off the coast of Western Australia state in late April, according to local reports. The boy survived the attack but highlights the increased risk of shark threats in the region. Authorities are also on high alert as reported by local sources on Monday, May 1.
Kurrajong Campsite Shark Attack
A Great White Shark swims approximately 50 meters off the coast of the Cape Cod National Sea Shore in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on July 15, 2022. - The coast of Massachusetts is home to many White Sharks during the summer months. With interest in sharks growing, a shark related tourism industry has sprung up in places like Chatham, including sightseeing tours.
The recent Western Australia shark attack occurred in the waters off Kurrajong Campsite in the Cape Range National Park on Saturday afternoon, April 29, leaving the boy with a not life-threatening injury, the West Australian Newspapers reported. In particular, the victim was bitten by the unidentified shark off the coast of Exmouth town located in Western Australia's North West Cape.
The child sustained deep cuts throughout his body but was treated by paramedics on the scene after being brought back to the shore by a boat. The snorkeler was initially taken to Exmouth Hospital before being flown to Perth for treatment on Saturday evening, the local newspaper adds.
A spokeswoman for Perth Children's Hospital the boy was reportedly still undergoing treatment on Sunday morning, April 30, but was already in stable condition.
Also Read: Shark Attack Kills Australian Tourist in New Caledonia, Beaches Near Noumea Closed
Beaches Closed
In response, local officials urged swimmers in the Cape Range National Park to take additional precautionary measures. They also closed the beaches on Saturday from Pilgramunna north to Bloodwood Creek in the area.
At approximately 3:15 p.m. local time on April 29, Surf Life Saving WA reported that an unknown shark species, 1 meter offshore, was spotted near Exmouth.
Earlier Shark Attack
The Exmouth shark attack was not the only incident that day. In fact, a separate yet similar encounter led to a man suffering minor injuries after being bitten by a 1-meter-long shark of unknown species on the morning of April 29, The Straits Times reported.
Both shark attacks in late April occurred a week after Australia's professional surfer Max Marsden survived a shark bite at Lucys Beach in Greenough.
Western Australia Shark Attacks
April's attacks follow a cascade of deadly shark attacks in Western Australia, including the case of a 16-year-old girl who was killed by an apparent bull shark in Perth back in February 2023. The girl reportedly jumped from her jet ski to the waters of Swan River to swim with a pod of dolphin, according to the police, as cited by NBC News.
In November 2021, a great white shark attacked and killed a 57-year-old man at Port Beach in the state capital city of Perth, Western Australia.
On the other coastal side, a British man was cut in half after being eaten by at least one shark off the Sydney coast in February 2022.
Related Article: Almost 90 Shark Sightings Reported in Western Australia Over the Past Week