hree shark attacks off Florida coast last week sent three women to the hospital. Two of the women suffered arm and leg wounds and the third lost her left arm. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas curator Kristine Grzenda.
“There is something about being in an environment that’s not inherently ours and dealing with these predators. And it should make us cautious but it shouldn’t strike fear in us that makes us not want to go to the beach.”
Grzenda says globally there are only around 7,200 shark attacks annually so while the chances are very rare you still need to remain alert at the beach.
“The summer is of course when we all flock to the beach in the warm summer temperatures. So if these instances are going to happen this is when we are going to see them, but there is no doubt it strikes a very psychological chord with us.”
Dusk and dawn are the most likely times for shark attacks says Grzenda, but most of the times it’s a case of mistaken identity.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t change the fact that when you are dealing with animals that can be of substantial size that mistake is very costly one.”
Grzenda says when you’re at the beach remember you’re in in their environment.
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