A "Cabeza de Batea" shark was spotted close to the shore at La Boca Beach in the province of Camagüey. "Shark spotted! Once again, coinciding with the start of summer, the 'Cabeza de Batea' arrive at La Boca Beach, Santa Lucía," stated the Tiburón Proyecto Sub on their Facebook page.
Their post included a couple of videos showing the shark's fins breaking the surface of the water just a few meters from the shore. "The channel of the Nuevitas Bay continues to showcase its allure for sharks and the beautiful northern Camagüey locality, highlighting its uniqueness as a point of contact between sharks and humans. This balanced relationship can be very beneficial for both species," the Facebook post noted.
The footage was captured by local residents and shared by the environmental conservation organization, which called for the protection of the Santa Lucía sharks. The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is one of the few shark species that ventures into estuaries to reach freshwater. According to Wikipedia, it can grow up to 3.4 meters long and feeds on various animals, including other sharks.
This shark can be dangerous to humans because it hunts in areas where people often swim. Its ability to enter freshwater is due to a specialized kidney gland that allows it to retain saltwater and expel freshwater, which would be fatal to other shark species. Although its man-eater reputation is not as exaggerated as that of its cousin, the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), its ability to enter rivers and shallow waters where it hunts makes it responsible for most attacks on humans.
Often, it gets too close to divers. While attacks are very rare, some seas have placed nets to indicate where people can safely swim. The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) records a total of 100 confirmed bull shark attacks on humans to date.
During mating seasons, the "Cabeza de Batea" is one of the animals with the highest testosterone levels, even higher than a male African elephant in musth, making it an extremely territorial animal. In mid-November 2022, three sharks surprised a group of Cuban bathers at a beach in Camagüey. Witnesses joked that these sharks could be used as food amidst Cuba's food crisis.
In late August 2020, a video circulated on social media showing two sharks at the shore of La Boca Beach. The footage showed one shark approaching and snatching the catch from a fisherman who was standing in the water, recording the episode with his phone.
Understanding Bull Shark Behavior and Safety Measures
This section provides answers to common questions about bull shark behavior and safety measures to be considered when swimming in their habitats.
Why are bull sharks considered dangerous to humans?
Bull sharks are considered dangerous because they hunt in shallow waters where humans often swim. Their ability to enter freshwater areas increases the chances of human encounters.
What should you do if you encounter a bull shark?
If you encounter a bull shark, remain calm and do not thrash around. Slowly and steadily swim back to shore without making sudden movements to avoid provoking the shark.
How can beaches reduce the risk of shark attacks?
Beaches can reduce the risk of shark attacks by installing nets, monitoring shark activity, and educating the public on safe swimming practices.