Latest news with #GavinNaylor
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Tourist loses both hands after provoking shark during beachside photo op: 'The shark didn't just see a human'
A Canadian tourist lost both of her hands trying to take a photo of a shark while snorkeling in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Feb. 7, as reported by the New York Times. The 55-year-old tourist was visiting the island and snorkeling in shallow waters. According to the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources in Turks and Caicos, the tourist "attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs." After being treated at a nearby hospital, the tourist, who has not been identified, was flown off the island to Canada for further medical care. As for the island, the beach was closed as a precaution. It was reopened on Feb. 9 "after it was determined that the shark had moved to deeper water." The shark had not been identified, although it was estimated to be six feet long. According to Gavin Naylor, the director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, it was unconfirmed whether the shark bite was "provoked or unprovoked." The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force was investigating further. In 2024, there were 88 confirmed shark bites across the world, according to the International Shark Files data. Of these 88 bites, 47 were listed as unprovoked bites. According to Chris Stefanou, a New York conservationist, photographing sharks carries a risk, as a phone or camera could be mistaken for a fish. "Sharks, or any predatory animal in the ocean, can confuse that as like a bait fish," Chris Stefanou told the NYT. "The shark didn't just see a human: 'Ooh, I'm hungry, I want to go take a bite.' That did not happen." There was also another reported shark encounter in the Caribbean the same day, with two Americans involved in the Bahamas, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Gavin Naylor told the NYT this was unusual and made him "sit up a little." Sharks don't carry the same threat that pop culture has made us think, with movies like Jaws and programs like Shark Week depicting them as ocean predators. According to the National Ocean Service, "Sharks have more to fear from humans than we do of them." However, shark populations are threatened by habitat loss and overfishing of shark species. The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks reports that up to 70 million sharks are killed by people every year. Shark Stewards reports a 71% decline in shark populations since 1970. Sharks are vital to the ocean ecosystem, so a change in their eating habits or location can affect other ocean populations. Just like with animals on land, such as bears and elk, it's vital to respect sharks' habitat and their space. Keeping your distance from sharks is not only important for your safety but also for theirs. Especially with habitat loss leading to a change in the feeding habits of reef sharks, caution is important when swimming in water with sharks. Should tourists be responsible for cleaning up their own trash? Absolutely In most cases It depends on the place No, they shouldn't Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "The DECR would like to urge the public to always be aware of your surroundings, follow local advisories, and respect marine life," the Turks and Caicos government wrote in a statement. "Swim in designated areas, avoid murky waters, never swim alone, and do not attempt to feed marine wildlife under any circumstances." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
Shark attacked tourist as she tried to take its picture in Turks and Caicos, authorities say
A shark attacked and injured a Canadian tourist as she tried to take its picture in the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier this month, according to local authorities. The attack occurred the morning of February 7 at a beach on Providenciales, one of the territory's eastern islands, per a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force. 'The 55-year-old victim was brought ashore and rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center for treatment,' the police statement said, adding that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. In a press statement posted on social media, the Caribbean territory's environmental department said that the tourist 'had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.' 'The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however the species is yet to be confirmed,' it continued. Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian government body that manages diplomatic relations, said it was aware of 'a Canadian citizen who experienced an accident in Turks and Caicos.' 'Consular officials have contacted local authorities to gather information and stand-ready to provide consular assistance,' Global Affairs continued. Global Affairs declined to offer further information out of privacy concerns. CNN has reached out to the Department of the Environment and Coastal Resources for further comment, as well as a spokesperson for the archipelago's tourism authority. Though popular movies like 'Jaws' have given sharks a reputation for hostility and aggression, attacks on humans are extremely rare, especially in Turks and Caicos. Per the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File, which tracks such incidents, there were only 3 recorded shark attacks in Turks and Caicos between 1749 and 2024. The Bahamas, meanwhile, recorded 33 in that period. One of those rare attacks occurred just two years ago in 2023, when a shark bit a snorkeling American woman. She lost her leg in that attack, which the Florida Museum included in their 2023 annual report. Dr. Gavin Naylor, who manages to the Shark Attack File, said that the most recent attack would be added to the total next February, when the database releases its yearly roundup. There are about 30 different kinds of shark in that part of the Caribbean, according to Naylor.
CNN
18-02-2025
- CNN
Shark attacked tourist as she tried to take its picture in Turks and Caicos, authorities say
A shark attacked and injured a Canadian tourist as she tried to take its picture in the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier this month, according to local authorities. The attack occurred the morning of February 7 at a beach on Providenciales, one of the territory's eastern islands, per a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force. 'The 55-year-old victim was brought ashore and rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center for treatment,' the police statement said, adding that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. In a press statement posted on social media, the Caribbean territory's environmental department said that the tourist 'had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.' 'The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however the species is yet to be confirmed,' it continued. Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian government body that manages diplomatic relations, said it was aware of 'a Canadian citizen who experienced an accident in Turks and Caicos.' 'Consular officials have contacted local authorities to gather information and stand-ready to provide consular assistance,' Global Affairs continued. Global Affairs declined to offer further information out of privacy concerns. CNN has reached out to the Department of the Environment and Coastal Resources for further comment, as well as a spokesperson for the archipelago's tourism authority. Though popular movies like 'Jaws' have given sharks a reputation for hostility and aggression, attacks on humans are extremely rare, especially in Turks and Caicos. Per the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File, which tracks such incidents, there were only 3 recorded shark attacks in Turks and Caicos between 1749 and 2024. The Bahamas, meanwhile, recorded 33 in that period. One of those rare attacks occurred just two years ago in 2023, when a shark bit a snorkeling American woman. She lost her leg in that attack, which the Florida Museum included in their 2023 annual report. Dr. Gavin Naylor, who manages to the Shark Attack File, said that the most recent attack would be added to the total next February, when the database releases its yearly roundup. There are about 30 different kinds of shark in that part of the Caribbean, according to Naylor.
CNN
18-02-2025
- CNN
Shark attacked tourist as she tried to take its picture in Turks and Caicos, authorities say
A shark attacked and injured a Canadian tourist as she tried to take its picture in the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier this month, according to local authorities. The attack occurred the morning of February 7 at a beach on Providenciales, one of the territory's eastern islands, per a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force. 'The 55-year-old victim was brought ashore and rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center for treatment,' the police statement said, adding that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. In a press statement posted on social media, the Caribbean territory's environmental department said that the tourist 'had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.' 'The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however the species is yet to be confirmed,' it continued. Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian government body that manages diplomatic relations, said it was aware of 'a Canadian citizen who experienced an accident in Turks and Caicos.' 'Consular officials have contacted local authorities to gather information and stand-ready to provide consular assistance,' Global Affairs continued. Global Affairs declined to offer further information out of privacy concerns. CNN has reached out to the Department of the Environment and Coastal Resources for further comment, as well as a spokesperson for the archipelago's tourism authority. Though popular movies like 'Jaws' have given sharks a reputation for hostility and aggression, attacks on humans are extremely rare, especially in Turks and Caicos. Per the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File, which tracks such incidents, there were only 3 recorded shark attacks in Turks and Caicos between 1749 and 2024. The Bahamas, meanwhile, recorded 33 in that period. One of those rare attacks occurred just two years ago in 2023, when a shark bit a snorkeling American woman. She lost her leg in that attack, which the Florida Museum included in their 2023 annual report. Dr. Gavin Naylor, who manages to the Shark Attack File, said that the most recent attack would be added to the total next February, when the database releases its yearly roundup. There are about 30 different kinds of shark in that part of the Caribbean, according to Naylor.
Observer
16-02-2025
- Observer
Shark bites a tourist who was trying to take a photo with it
A tourist trying to photograph a shark in shallow water at a beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands this month was bitten by it and flown off the island to receive medical care, the local government said. The tourist was treated at a hospital before she left the island, Providenciales, a sandy, 38-square-mile magnet for snorkelers and sun-seekers that is ringed by turquoise waters. The shark was about 6 feet long, according to the Turks and Caicos government, but its species was unclear. The tourist had 'attempted to engage with the animal' to take pictures of it before she was bitten on Feb. 7, the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources in Turks and Caicos said in a statement. Her identity was not immediately released and officials did not describe the extent of her injuries. The beach was closed but reopened on Feb. 9 after the shark was found to have moved into deeper water, according to the environment department. Turks and Caicos, an archipelago, is a British territory and one of the Caribbean's fanciest tourist destinations. Shark bites are extremely rare and are typically accidents, experts say. But sharks can cause severe wounds when they mistake humans for prey. Worldwide, there were 88 confirmed or potential shark bites logged last year by the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, an organization that tracks shark data. Twenty-four were provoked, meaning that a human had initiated contact with the shark, according to the organization. Four people died from shark bites. One of last year's recorded bites was in Turks and Caicos; it was not fatal. The file's director, Gavin Naylor, said Saturday that it was too soon to say if this month's bite in Turks and Caicos was provoked or unprovoked. But Chris Stefanou, a New York fisherman and conservationist who tags sharks, said that photographing sharks can carry risks and that the shark might have confused a phone for a fish. 'Sharks, or any predatory animal in the ocean, can confuse that as like a bait fish,' Stefanou said, referring to small, shiny fish that draw sharks to shore. 'The shark didn't just see a human: 'Ooh, I'm hungry, I want to go take a bite.' That did not happen.' The episode was not the only reported shark bite in the Caribbean on Feb. 7. Two Americans were injured in what appeared to be a shark encounter in Bimini Bay in the northern Bahamas, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Naylor said two bites in one day in the region was unusual and made him 'sit up a little.' But it was not clear whether there was any trend. The number of confirmed unprovoked shark bites dropped to 47 last year, down from 69 the year before, according to the International Shark Attack File. This article originally appeared in
