Shark Attack in Maharashtra’s Palghar District: Man Survives, Locals Capture and Kill 200-kg Bull Shark

In a harrowing incident in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, a 32-year-old man miraculously survived a brutal shark attack while fishing. 

#SharkAttack in Maharashtra's #Palghar District: Man Survives, Locals Capture and Kill 200-kg Bull Shark pic.twitter.com/YZfq7RpF6Q

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Vicky Suresh Govari, the victim, faced a life-threatening situation when a 7-foot-long, 200-kg bull shark nearly severed his left leg at the ankle. The attack occurred as Govari crossed the shallow waters of the Vaitarna River in Manor.

Swift action ensued as the injured man was rushed to a hospital for urgent medical attention. Meanwhile, villagers successfully captured the formidable bull shark, a species known to inhabit freshwater, though conflicting reports surround the circumstances of its demise. 

Locals claim it was intentionally killed, whereas the police contend that it died during a rescue operation. 

Videos circulated online depict the shark being held by a rope on the shore, surrounded by locals, with visible bloodstains on its underbelly. The Manor police took custody of the shark’s carcass, asserting that it was handed over to the mangrove cell of the forest department.

The incident has raised concerns as it is suspected to be the first recorded case of a marine predator attacking a human along Maharashtra’s coast. Locals had earlier spotted the shark in the river, prompting warnings to those near the water.

Marine biologist Bhushan Bhoir from Palghar expressed alarm, stating that it is the first unprovoked shark attack on a human in Maharashtra. 

He suggests that the bull shark might have ventured into the river seeking food, as ocean resources dwindle. Bull sharks, classified as a near-threatened species, confront multiple threats globally, including overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution.

This alarming event sheds light on the delicate balance between human activities and the natural habitat of marine species, urging a closer examination of conservation efforts and coexistence strategies.