Several beaches in New South Wales, Australia, have been temporarily closed after a woman was bitten by a Shark while swimming off Little Congwong Beach in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park on Friday 23 February 2018. The unnamed 55-year-old woman was attacked around dusk by a Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, 27.-3.2 m in length, which bit her once on the leg before retreating. She is being treated in St George Hospital in Sydney, but is not thought to have received any dangerous injuries.
Woman being rushed from Little Congwong Beach by paramedics after being bitten by a Shark on 23 February 2018. Channel 9.
Despite their fearsome reputation, attacks by Sharks are relatively rare, with no recorded events near Botany Bay in at least 25 years. Most attacks on Humans by Great White Sharks are thought to be mistakes. The species feeds principally on Marine Mammals, which we superficially resemble when we enter the water, gaining the majority of their nutrition from the thick adipose (fat) layers of these animals, which we lack. Due to this, when Great Whites 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, with victims likely to survive if they receive immediate medical attention.
A Great White Shark striking at prey. Brandon Cole/NPL.
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