An American student has died after being attacked by three Tiger Sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, while holidaying in the Bahamas. Californian Jordan Lindsay, 21, was snorkeling of Rose Island, when she was attacked by three Sharks, which bit her on the legs and buttocks as well as removing her right arm. Such attacks are extremely rare (the Bahamas only recorded four Shark attacks in the period 2007-2016, including a single fatality), and experts in the region are trying to work out what triggered the incident.
Jordan Lindsay, 21, of Torrence, California, killed in a Shark attack in the Bahamas. Evening Standard.
Despite their fearsome reputation, attacks by Sharks
are relatively rare and most attacks on Humans by Sharks are
thought to be mistakes. Tiger Sharks have a diverse diet, including
invertebrates, Fish, Birds, Marine Reptiles and Marine Mammals,
which we superficially resemble when we enter the water. Marine Mammals
are attacked principally for their thick adipose (fat) layers, which
are a nutritious high-energy food, but which we lack. Due to this, when
Sharks do attack Humans
these attacks are often broken off without the victim being consumed.
Such attacks frequently result in severe injuries, but are seldom
immediately fatal, and victims are likely to survive if they receive
immediate medical attention.
A Tiger Shark in the Bahamas. Albert Kok/Wikimedia Commons.
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