Great white shark swims dangerously close to unaware child swimmers in video
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A 10-foot great white shark was spotted swimming alarmingly close to a group of young swimmers along the Southern California coastline; the children seemed completely unaware of the nearby predator.
The match was recorded on drone video Wildlife photographer Carlos Gauna, known as the “Malibu Artist,” said this was one of the rare times he felt truly uneasy while observing sharks.
“I don’t get angry often, but this was one of the rare occasions when I was nervous,” Gauna wrote on Instagram. “The young swimmers had no idea.”
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Gauna said the shark had a large boat propeller wound on its back and dorsal fin, which he believes may have affected its behavior.
“My observations showed that the shark was quite active,” he wrote, adding that he watched it breach twice in one day.
The 10-foot great white shark (not pictured) was spotted swimming alarmingly close to a group of young swimmers along the Southern California coastline. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)
Gauna also wrote, “I don’t know if he was looking for easier prey or was more alert because of the injury.” “Either way, this shark approaches humans with a higher frequency. At least according to my observations.”
The crazy video sparked hundreds of comments; Many viewers said they would immediately leave the water if they noticed a drone flying overhead.
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One user commented, “If I see a drone above me while swimming, I’ll get out of there.”
Others said the footage showed great white sharks often investigating humans without attacking.
The children shown in the video (not pictured) were completely unaware that the shark was nearby, and eventually the shark returned. (iStock)
“This just proves they don’t care about us,” one viewer wrote. “He went to see what the splash was and turned around. My heart was beating fast though.”
Some commenters also suggested that beachgoers should be warned when sharks are detected nearby, with some recommending warning lights or audible signals to help swimmers exit the water safely.
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Fox News Digital previously reported that shark experts are urging beachgoers to exercise caution as cases have increased along many U.S. coastlines this summer.
Some commenters suggested that beachgoers should be warned if sharks are spotted nearby. (iStock)
Mike Heithaus, a marine biologist at Florida International University, told Fox News Digital that shark bites remain unusual, even during the busy summer beach season.
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“People should always be aware of local conditions and listen to lifeguards, but shark bites are very rare,” he stressed.
The shark encounter was captured on drone video by a cameraman. (iStock)
He recommended people avoid murky waters, stay away from areas where large schools of fish can be seen and stay away from areas where other people are actively fishing.
