A tiger shark front view as it breaks the water surface with mouth open and teeth showing.Photo:Getty
Getty
The 21-year-old unidentified victim “received a significant laceration to her leg that required treatment from emergency services," the Southern District Police said. AHato Hone St Johnambulance spokesperson said that the victim was “in a serious condition" and was “transported to Southland Hospital,” reportsRNZ.
The victim’s mother told theNew Zealand Heraldthat her daughter was in the ICU and “doing well after surgery,” but she still “has a long recovery ahead of her."
”She is a very strong woman, and I know that she will get through this," added the mother. “Recovery will be slow; however, in time, she will be okay.”
Law enforcement said in the statement that the “time of day is a possible factor” of the attack. Additionally, authorities speculate the shark is a sevengill shark due to the species presence in the estuary.
The sevengill shark is also one of the country’s “more common inshore sharks,” per New Zealand’sNational Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
New Zealand beach in Orewa, north of Auckland, on March 5, 2021.DAVID ROWLAND/AFP via Getty
DAVID ROWLAND/AFP via Getty
“This shark is a bit of a biter, and may be aggressive when provoked,” and can “survive in just a meter of water,” the NIWA notes.
NIWA principal scientist Dr. Malcolm Francis shared that when the sevengill shark’s jaw is open, it looks like “a saw-edge.” The shark has serrated teeth that slant sideways and have multiple sharp cusps.
Great white shark swims off the coast of Monterey Bay, California.Getty
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Per the police statement, authorities ask those entering the water to “follow safety guidelines and avoid late-night swims.”
source: people.com
