Seagulls pay the ultimate price for disregarding safety while scavenging for tuna scraps thrown into the water by a tour company to attract great white sharks.
A great white shark leaps out of the water and bites its prey.
About 30 tourists participating in a cage diving expedition off the coast of Lincoln, South Australia, earlier this June witnessed a shocking attack. A seagull followed their boat, attempting to snatch the tuna scraps thrown into the water by Calypso Star Charters to lure in sharks. Diver Ben Kessler captured footage of the furious shark trying to chase the uninvited guest away.
As the seagull continued to linger, the great white shark surged out of the water and bit the bird, killing it instantly. Tourists and divers screamed as they witnessed the shark capture the seagull, dragging it underwater and swimming away.
According to Kessler, the warning signals from the great white shark were unmistakable. The shark bumped into the seagull twice, but the bird returned after an hour. Sharks often attack anything that intrudes on their meal. This species is highly territorial, and anything that disturbs them becomes a target.
Great white sharks are the largest predatory fish in the world, capable of growing up to 6.4 meters long and weighing 2,100 kilograms. They inhabit temperate seas from California to Australia and South Africa, where there are abundant seals and sea lions, their favorite meals.
The great white shark attacks the scavenger. (Video: Instagram).
