On July 4, 2024, several individuals were reportedly injured by a shark off the southern coast of Texas at South Padre Island according to a report from ABC News.
Here’s what we know about this shark attack.
*Four separate incidents involving a single shark were reported according to the ABC report.
*The ABC report said Texas Game Warden Capt. Chris Dowdy confirmed that the incidents included two bites, a grazing, and an injury while fending off the shark. A press statement from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) said details at this time indicate that two people were bitten and two people “encountered” the shark but were not seriously injured. What does an encounter mean? Was it indeed a grazing or a strike from fending off the shark?
*The two victims who were bitten were transported to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville where one is being treated and the other has been flown out for further treatment according to TPWD.
*The ABC story cites Dowdy as believing the incident involved the same shark. The TPWD news release does not say this directly but says the following: “South Padre Island Police Department (SPI PD) and Cameron County Park Rangers responded to reports of people being bitten by a shark at South Padre Island, within city limits. Details at this time indicate that two people were bitten and two people encountered the shark but were not seriously injured.
*Incidents of multiple attacks in the same area are rare although there was an incident in Florida a few weeks ago. Incidents of a single shark attacking mulitple people is even rarer.
Also, let’s kill a rumor right now.
This was NOT the work of a great white shark.
There have been multiple statements on social media about it being a great white most likely tied to the fact a great white with a satellite tag was verified in the surf at South Padre Feb. 26.
That shark is in Nova Scotia now. Seriously-nearly 3,000 miles away. And for the most part great white using the Gulf are here for wintering and return to the Atlantic during summer and fall.
Let’s not put the blame for this shark attack on a great white. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Listen to the Dark Outdoors episode for some intel on potential shark identify and some of my thoughts of other candidates as well as information on multi-shark attacks on the Gulf Coast.
Sharks are a vital part of our oceans but they do attack. That doesn’t make them evil. It just makes them sharks.
But at the same time there are people here who have been through a horrifying situation. Don’t belittle them as they sort their way through a very painful situation.
We will keep you posted as we learn more.
You can email chester@chestermoore.com to reach me.
Chester Moore
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