A mother was bitten by a shark in Australia while a teenager is recovering after a shark bite in New Zealand.
In New South Wales, Australia, a 42-year old mother was swimming off Hyams Beach Jan. 4 when she responded to an attack by punching a shark.
The mom, who chose not to be identified, hit the water around 5:40 a.m. and had been swimming for about 20 minutes when she felt a jolt. She looked down to see an estimated 6-foot (2m) bronze whaler below her.
Inspired by surfer Mick Fanning, who punched a large aggressive white shark during J-Bay Open surfing finals in 2015, she quickly punched the shark and sent it swimming away. Despite 10 puncture wounds on her inner right thigh, she was able to make the estimated 32 yards (30m) swim back to shore.
After being treated by paramedics, she was taken to Shoalhaven Hospital, and later that day was back in the water.
However, she did say she would stick closer to shore and to avoid shark feeding times, will swim her morning laps a little later in the morning.
An Oamaru teen recovering after being bitten by a shark in New Zealand
Alvira Repia-King, 13, was swimming with friends Jan. 9 at Oamaru Beach, taking turns jumping off Holmes Warf into Friendly Bay and swimming back to shore.
Around 4 p.m. she was floating on her back when a suspected sevengill shark grabbed her right arm and back. The shark shook Alvira as she tried to pull her arm from its grip. One of her friends saw the horror and looked for a rock to strike the shark.
After what felt like minutes, the shark released its grip and she was able to swim back to the dock. Her rock-scrounging friend extended her leg so Alvira could grab hold and was helped back to the dock.
King’s mother was alerted, and at first thought it was a joke, but then quickly headed to the harbor. She arrived to find her daughter in an ambulance. Alvira was taken to St. John Hospital where she received 42 stitches in her right arm and upper back.
Broadnose sevengill sharks are often referred to locally as sea cows as they tend to be docile and a little dopey as they slowly swim through the water.
The local council is considering placing signs alerting visitors that sharks are present in the area. Local biologists also suggested including warnings not to throw or discard fish parts off the wharf where people swim as it attracts sharks.
Both Locations have been marked on the 2022 Shark Attack Map.
