Tag: Attack

Swimmer attacked by muskie while training for triathlon

A triathlete from Ontario, Canada, learned a painful lesson recently while swimming in Lake St. Clair: Muskies might mistake your extremities as prey, and they have dangerously sharp teeth.

A triathlete from Ontario, Canada, learned a painful lesson recently while swimming in Lake St. Clair: Muskies might mistake your extremities as prey, and the fish have dangerously sharp teeth.

Matt Gervais, 39, was bitten on the right hand Aug. 13 as he trained for an upcoming event with a friend. “It was a lot of pain [and] it hurt really bad, right away,” he told CTV News.

Gervais was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he received 13 stitches. He’s still awaiting clearance to resume training.

Gervais said that after the muskie struck he looked down and saw that it was still latched onto his hand.

“I caught it eye to eye, underwater with my goggles,” Gervais said, adding that what he saw after the fish let go was “carnage.”

Trevor Pitcher, a professor at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, told CTV News that the muskie probably mistook Gervais’ hand for a small fish.

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“The word ‘mistake’ is key because we’re very confident that they don’t intentionally bite people,” Pitcher said. “In reality it’s not very common so humans – and especially human flesh – [are] not part of the muskie diet.”

Gervais, of Windsor, told the Windsor Star: “Some crazy things have happened to me while training, but this is probably the craziest.”

Muskie image is generic

Muskies, or muskellunge, are found throughout much of the northeastern U.S. and as far south as Georgia.

The fish are apex predators wherever they occur and strike with remarkable speed and ferocity, making them incredibly popular among anglers.

According to the International Game Fish Assn., the world record has stood at 67 pounds, 8 ounces, since 1949. That muskie was caught at Lake Court Oreilles in Hayward, Wisconsin.

Watch: Beachgoers in awe as great white shark ambushes seal

Beachgoers in Provincetown, Mass., watched in awe Wednesday as a great white shark ambushed a seal just beyond the shore.

Beachgoers in Provincetown, Mass., watched in awe Wednesday as a great white shark ambushed a seal just beyond the shore.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy shared the footage to Facebook, crediting Matt and Shannon Scully, explaining that the “predation” occurred at 1 p.m. off Race Point Beach.

The shark appears to have been spotted before it launched its surface attack, creating a giant foamy splash. In the footage a woman asks, “Did you guys see it?” just before the eruption, which inspires more commentary.

White sharks prey on gray seals during the summer and early fall off Cape Cod, and one person observed in the comments section that nobody was swimming at the time of Wednesday’s attack:

“People are getting smarter, as you notice, nobody in their right mind would swim in the waters on the outer Cape!”

Reads another comment: “That water drops off deep. You are neck deep in five steps. It’s ‘Jaws’ paradise.”

Scientists make the most of the white shark feeding season by tagging sharks, usually from July into early November, to learn more about their habits and movements.

–Image and video courtesy of Matt and Shannon Scully

Rare otter attack injures Montana boy floating on inner tube

A 12-year-old Montana boy was attacked by an otter as he and a friend floated down the Big Hole River on inner tubes.

A 12-year-old Montana boy was attacked by an otter Friday as he and a friend floated down the Big Hole River on inner tubes.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated in a news release issued Monday that the boy did not suffer life-threatening injuries during the rare attack.

The two boys were on a section of river west of Divide, upstream from the Powerhouse Fishing Access Site, when they spotted several otters in front of them.

One otter approached and attacked the boy before two adults who were camping nearby rushed to his rescue.

“Fortunately, the boy was able to receive prompt treatment for injuries that were not life threatening. The other boy was not injured,” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated.

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Otter attacks on humans are rare, but the animals can be tenacious while defending their young or their territory against potential threats.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks explained that otters typically give birth in April and can stay with their young through the summer.

Low water level caused by drought might also have played a role in shrinking the otters’ territory and preventing the boys from maintaining a safer distance.

Signs have been posted along the river cautioning visitors about the incident.

–River otter image is generic

Northern California swimmer attacked by great white shark

A 35-year-old man was hospitalized in serious condition Saturday after being bitten by a great white shark during a morning swim south of San Francisco.

A 35-year-old man was hospitalized in serious condition Saturday after being bitten by a great white shark during a morning swim south of San Francisco.

The San Mateo Sheriff’s Office announced via Twitter that the man was swimming at Gray Whale Cove State Beach when a shark measuring 6 to 8 feet bit him on the right leg.

The incident occurred at 9:15 a.m. and first responders were on the scene shortly thereafter, according to Cal Fire.

ABC News reported that the victim was able to swim to shore, where he was treated by paramedics before being transported to Stanford Hospital.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach, between Pacifica and Montara and about 20 miles south of San Francisco, was ordered closed to ocean activity for 48 hours. Montara State Beach also was closed.

A 6- to 8-foot great white shark would be a juvenile.

–Gray Whale Cove State Beach image is generic

Yellowstone hiker injured in grizzly bear attack

A hiker in Yellowstone National Park was attacked by one of two grizzly bears he encountered Friday morning near Mammoth Hot Springs.

A hiker in Yellowstone National Park was attacked by one of two grizzly bears he encountered Friday morning near Mammoth Hot Springs.

The unidentified 39-year-old male sustained “significant injuries” to his lower extremities but managed to hike out, according to a news release. The man was transported to Livingston Hospital in Montana.

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Beaver Ponds Trail, where the incident occurred, has been closed until further notice. The man, who was hiking alone, encountered the bears 1.5 miles from the trailhead at Old Gardiner Road.

The park, which did not disclose further details, reminds visitors to always have bear spray close at hand, to hike with others, and to make noise while on trails to help prevent surprise encounters.

–Grizzly bear image is generic

Yellowstone tourist charged by grizzly bear subject of probe

Yellowstone National Park is seeking the public’s help identifying a woman who approached dangerously close to a grizzly bear earlier this month, nearly prompting an attack.

Yellowstone National Park is seeking the public’s help identifying a tourist who approached dangerously close to a grizzly bear earlier this month, nearly prompting an attack.

The woman, who was not injured, can be seen in the accompanying footage trying to take photos of a momma bear and two cubs from a distance of less than 30 yards.

The bear responded by bluff-charging, a behavior intended to ward off potential threats. The frightened woman turned and quickly walked away, extremely fortunate that she did not inspire an actual attack.

The video footage was captured by Darcie Addington, a tourist who watched from inside a vehicle. The image atop this post was provided by the park.

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Park rules state that tourists must stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves whenever possible, especially while outside vehicles. Tourists who act recklessly around wildlife can be cited.

U.S. Park Rangers also are involved in the investigation.

The incident occurred May 10 at about 4:45 p.m. at Roaring Mountain. In a news release posted Tuesday on Facebook, the park stated:

“The unidentified woman is described as white, mid 30’s, brown hair, and wearing black clothing. If you were around Roaring Mountain on May 10, 2021 at 4:45PM, or you have information that could help, please contact NPS Investigative Services Branch at:

“Call or Text: 888-653-0009; Online: www.nps.gov/ISB; Email: nps_isb@nps.gov.”

Besides issuing distance guidelines pertaining to wildlife, Yellowstone constantly reminds tourists that they’re responsible for their own safety.

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Giant crocodile jumps into fishing boat in ‘rare’ nighttime attack

Four fishermen in Australia were fortunate to have escaped serious injuries last weekend when a large crocodile jumped into their boat and began to bite one of the seats.

Four fishermen in Australia were fortunate to have escaped serious injuries last weekend when a large crocodile jumped into their boat and began to bite one of the seats.

The bizarre incident occurred at night on April 24 in Kakadu National Park, apparently after the men had stopped on the South Alligator River to cook dinner aboard the vessel.

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ABC Australia reports that the crocodile, estimated to measure 13-plus feet, launched out of the water and somehow flung its entire body over the rail.

A 32-year-old New South Wales man was slightly injured during the harrowing encounter.

Kakadu National Park. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Adam Britton, a crocodile expert, described this kind of attack as “incredibly rare” but added: “Big crocs can push themselves out of the water, especially if they’ve got something to rest against like the side of a boat.”

The crocodile bit the seat occupied by the man who was injured. He was treated for moderate abrasions at a nearby health center and released.

The crocodile, which escaped back into the river after causing extensive damage to the boat, became the subject of a hunt by a Kakadu National Park team of experts.

Apparently, it’s one of two crocodiles that have been deemed problem animals.

Warning signs – including one stating that a 4-meter crocodile has been stealing fish and harassing boats – have been placed on the river’s banks, according to ABC Australia.

It was unclear at the time of this post whether any crocodiles have been captured or killed by authorities.

Kakadu National Park is located in Australia’s Northern Territory southeast of Darwin.

–Images vai Wikimedia Commons

Spectacular false killer whale attack documented by researchers

Researchers in Hawaii have captured footage of a false killer whale ambushing an unsuspecting mahi-mahi with a spectacular breach.

Researchers in Hawaii have captured footage showing a false killer whale ambushing a large mahi-mahi with a spectacular breach.

“One of many predation events documented by our team while working with the endangered population of false killer whales in the Maui Nui area!” Cascadia Research Collective wrote Friday on Facebook, asking viewers to turn on the volume.

The footage, reminiscent of clips showing great white sharks breaching after seals or seal decoys, shows the false killer whale smacking the mahi-mahi into the air while also leaping free of the surface.

False killer whales (Pseudorca) – named because their skull characteristics are similar to those of killer whales (Orcinus orca) – inhabit tropical and sub-tropical waters worldwide but are not frequently encountered.

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In Hawaii, three populations exist, including a small endangered population most closely associated with the main islands.

The Washington State-based Cascadia Research Collective, in collaboration with the Scripps Acoustic Ecology Laboratory and Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, is studying foraging behavior of this population, in relation to oceanography and prey.

False killer whales routinely snack on mahi-mahi, which like to gather beneath floating debris, making them vulnerable to predation. (Note the floating object in the video.)

Asked if the footage captured Friday is rare, Robin Baird, a Cascadia Research Biologist, told For The Win Outdoors:

“Well, we’ve been working with false killer whales in Hawaii for 22 years and have seen this type of behavior a number of times, and filmed it a few times, although not necessarily long clips or great footage.”

Baird added that false killer whales “do throw fish into the air more so than any other species I’ve worked with.”

During some predation events, individual mammals shared food with other pod members. Prey sharing is common among false killer whales, which have also been known to present their kills to people watching from boats.

Cascadia on Friday published an update for the ongoing Maui Nui project in waters off Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai.

The endangered false killer whales are the team’s “highest-priority species” and scientists captured several images showing the mammals preying on mahi-mahi and engaging in social behavior.

Based on their observations, the most common methods are ramming the fish with their heads or slapping them with tail flukes.

Scientists obtained several photo identifications for their catalog and collected biopsy samples “for genetics and hormone chemistry.”

The team also encountered or was hoping to encounter bottlenose dolphins, short-finned pilot whales, and less-common species such as rough-toothed dolphins and pygmy killer whales.

–Images courtesy of Jordan Lerma (top and bottom two) and Robin Baird of the Cascadia Research Collective

Quick-thinking hunters survive grizzly bear attack

An Idaho hunter who was attacked by a grizzly bear Friday might have saved his own life – with help from his companion – by deploying bear spray as he was being knocked to the ground.

An Idaho hunter who was attacked by a grizzly bear Friday might have saved his own life – with help from his companion – by deploying bear spray as he was being knocked to the ground.

According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the unidentified victim was archery hunting for elk with a friend when the two encountered what they described as a grizzly bear at close range in dense foliage.

The bear charged as the victim began to deploy his spray. His companion also sprayed the bear, which fled after a few tense and harrowing seconds.

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The hunters walked out of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest backcountry and the victim was transported via ambulance to a hospital in Rexburg, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident near Two Top Mountain led to the posting of bear warning signs and prompted this statement from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game:

“Hunters and other forest users are reminded to always be prepared when in bear country by carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.”

–Grizzly bear image courtesy of IDFG

Man grabbed by alligator fights off attack with two fingers

A man was walking his dog near his Florida home when an alligator chomped down on his leg and attempted to drag him into the water.

A 61-year-old man was walking his dog along a canal near his Florida home Sunday morning when an alligator chomped down on the back of his knee and attempted to drag him into the water.

Mark Johnson of Port St. Lucie had noticed the alligator swimming toward them and ordered his golden retriever, Rex, to return home, and it did. As he stepped onto the mud bank, Johnson got his Croc sandal stuck in the mud and the alligator lunged at him, TCPalm reported.

“I’m still in disbelief that the gator lunged at me like he did,” Johnson told the Miami Herald Wednesday. “I’m a native Floridian, been around these things my whole life, and this would have been the last thing I would ever expected.”

The force knocked Johnson to the ground where he knew it futile to attempt to pry the jaws off his leg, but he had to act quickly before the gator tried a “death roll” designed to disable or kill, so he poked his index fingers into the alligator’s eyeballs.

https://www.facebook.com/ed.killer.9/posts/1193970624329259

The alligator immediately let go and swam away, leaving Johnson with 12 puncture wounds; TCPalm posted photos of them. He limped 75 yards back home where his wife helped him into the shower to clean out the wounds and then wrapped a clean towel around them.

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At St. Lucie Medical Center, Johnson received about 60 stitches to his leg and another five in his left index finger, which was cut in the alligator’s eye socket.

Johnson told TCPalm he didn’t blame the alligator, as it was doing what alligators do. “But it’s important for people to understand how dangerous alligators are. If I had been a small child or pet, I wouldn’t have had a chance.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent a nuisance trapper to the scene, but he couldn’t locate the alligator.

“The trapper did tell me I was lucky,” Johnson told TCPalm. “He said the fingers to the eye socket trick doesn’t always work.”

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.