Aerial video shows shark that officials say attacked several people | CNN (2024)

FAQs

When was the last shark attack in South Padre Island? ›

On July 4, four swimmers were attacked by sharks on South Padre Island in Texas. Four other shark attacks occurred in Florida over the same holiday weekend. Tabatha Sullivent, one of the four Texas shark bite victims, lost part of her calf during the attack.

The 4th of July holiday turned into a nightmare for beachgoers in the waters around South Padre Island, Texas, after authorities said a shark bit four swimmers. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reported that four people were bitten by what is believed to be the same shark.

Galveston Beach is another shark-infested Texas beach. This beach has had three attacks, one of which was fatal. The fatal attack occurred in 1937 and resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy who had been swimming at night. The next attack occurred in 2010 and involved an adult male fisherman.

When there are more attacks, it often means that more people are spending time in the water — not that sharks have become more dangerous. Miguez described it as a numbers game. Increased human activity in sharks' natural habitats naturally leads to an increase in the number of animal encounters.

Coming in at the top spot was New Smyrna Beach – not only because of its high likelihood of being impacted by a hurricane, but also because it has the highest likelihood of shark attacks. According to Simmrin Law, 185 shark attacks have been recorded there.

Several factors have contributed to the unusually high attack and fatality rates, including pollution from sewage runoff and a (now closed) local slaughterhouse. The place with the most recorded shark attacks is New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Texas Beach Watch (Enterococcus Bacteria)

The bacteria is common in rain runoff and levels often spike after periods of heavy rain.

Florida is known as the "shark attack capital of the world" and accounts for more than half of the total shark attacks in the United States each year.

Late last month, the 2,600-pound female swam along the Texas coast, from the shores around Galveston down to a couple hundred yards off South Padre Island. Her eventual arrival off Matamoros, Mexico, marked a significant milestone in shark science history, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

Why are sharks coming closer to shore in 2024? ›

Sharks are losing their natural habitats due to climate change. The climate crisis is causing unexpected and mystifying behavior among various marine life, and marine biologists told ABC News that climate change, specifically rising water temperatures, is potentially causing sharks to swim closer to the shore.

Unprovoked Shark Attacks by Region of the World

The USA and Australia are the most shark-infested countries in the world. Since the year 1580, a total of 682 shark attacks have killed more than 155 people in Australia. In the United States, 1,563 attacks have already caused over 35 deaths.

Shark encounters are uncommon in Texas, the Wildlife Department said. “The shark was located at the south end of the island and was pushed out to deeper water, “South Padre Island Fire Chief Jim Pigg told Fox 9. “This is a very rare occurrence that happened on the beaches of South Padre.

Yes there are alligators! - Review of South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, South Padre Island, TX - Tripadvisor.