Photo: Rodrigo Friscione / Image Source / Getty Images
Hollywood, FL - Residents of a Hollywood neighborhood are on edge after a massive 10-foot shark was seen swimming unusually close to shore in the Intracoastal Waterway, raising concerns among locals and marine experts.
The shark was first spotted Thursday morning gliding through North Lake, an area connected to the ocean with brackish waters that support diverse wildlife.
While marine sightings are common, the presence of a shark this large has sparked widespread conversation.
The shark’s unusual behavior has caught the attention of marine scientists.
Dr. Mamood Shiv-Jeee from Nova Southeastern University expressed concern, noting that if the shark is indeed a mako, its presence in the shallow waters is highly abnormal.
“This is completely unusual. For them to be this close to shore, there’s no business for them this close to shore,” he told WSVN.
Residents reported that the shark has been lingering in the area for several days.
“He’s not going anywhere. He keeps coming back,” one neighbor observed.
Despite the shark’s size and proximity, reactions among locals are mixed.
Some have sworn off swimming in the lake, while others remain open to kayaking nearby.
“I don’t mind kayaking around them. I don’t swim, it’s just he’s rather large, that’s the only concerning part,” a resident commented.
Adding to concerns, the shark has been seen moving slowly, a stark contrast to the mako’s reputation as one of the fastest sharks in the ocean.
Dr. Shiv-Jeee suggested the shark may be disoriented or unwell. “If it’s a mako, there is something wrong with this animal. It is either because it is lost, it should not be anywhere close to where it is right now.”
Authorities and marine experts are continuing to monitor the situation as the shark remains in the area, leaving residents wary of venturing into the water.