Sharks from species once thought harmless kill and eat snorkeler in feeding frenzy
Scientists issue shark warning after fatal attack by shy species
- A 40-year-old tourist was fatally attacked by dusky sharks off Hadera, Israel, in April, marking an unprecedented event for a species typically considered harmless to humans.
- Witnesses reported the man shouting for help before disappearing as the water turned red, with human remains later confirming his identity.
- Scientists attribute the rare attack to a combination of factors, including warm water from desalination plants, human feeding, and food waste attracting large numbers of dusky sharks to the area.
- These conditions fostered a new 'begging' behaviour in the sharks, leading them to associate humans with food and potentially initiating a feeding frenzy.
- Researchers propose that a complete ban on artificial feeding of sharks by the public is crucial to eliminate this dangerous behaviour and prevent similar future incidents.