12-year-old boy American boy attacked by shark while vacationing in the Bahamas
The boy's mother told the Royal Bahamas Police Force that they were on a tour of the Exuma Cays, and the boy was swimming with his brother when the shark attacked him.
FILE: Woman in critical condition after shark attack in Australia
A woman was left in critical condition after she was bitten by a shark at Sydney's Coogee Beach on Saturday. Local authorities said the woman was attacked while swimming close to the shore, within the flagged area — an indication that an area is safe to swim in.
STANIEL CAY, Bahamas – A 12-year-old boy was injured on Tuesday when he was bitten by a shark while swimming in the Bahamas.
The boy's mother told the Royal Bahamas Police Force that they were on a tour of the Exuma Cays, and the boy was swimming with his brother when the shark attacked him.
He was taken to New Providence by boat for medical treatment. Police said the boy's injuries were being treated and he was stable.
Large white shark looks straight into the camera. Captured in the clear blue waters of South Australia.
(Nautilus Creative / Getty Images)
The boy wasn't identified and the severity of his injuries wasn't given. No other information was available about the shark attack.
OFFICIALS ISSUE WARNING TO BEACHGOERS ABOUT INVASIVE PUFFERFISH WITH INSANELY STRONG TEETH
According to the International Shark Attack File put together by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the American Elasmobranch Society, the Bahama Islands are listed as the ninth-highest place in the world for unprovoked shark attacks.
BAHAMAS, CARIBBEAN SEA - DECEMBER 2007: A bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) swimming on a sandy bottom on December 21, 2007 in the Bahamas, Caribbean Sea. Carcharhinus leucas belongs to the group of the five most dangerous sharks in the world, it is often implicated in attacks on humans.
(Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld / Getty Images)
"A human is more susceptible to being attacked if the shark is cornered and feels that there is no escape route," the Florida Museum of Natural History said. "In situations like these, the shark may rake the victim during the attack, resulting in lacerations."
The Exuma Islands are well-known for swimming, snorkeling and boating, with their bright blue waters.
Staniel Cay is known for its thriving marine ecosystems and is accessible by boat or air.
EXUMAS, THE BAHAMAS - JUNE 15: Private luxury yachts on June 15, 2012, in Staniel Cay Marina, The Bahamas.
(EyesWideOpen / Getty Images)
In the Caribbean Sea, tiger, hammerhead and smooth dogfish sharks are frequently seen, especially during the summer.
The Caribbean reef shark, for example, frequently swims nearshore waters, especially during the summer.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force didn't specify what type of shark attacked the boy, but dozens of shark species are found in the Caribbean.