“Unofficial Mascots”: Bull Sharks Survived 17 Years in Golf Club Lake

  Flooding in 1996 carried six juvenile bull sharks into a golf course lake, where they survived for 17 years. A new study uses this case to argue that bull sharks can survive extended periods of time in low salinity waters. Indeed, during their time in the Carbrook Golf Club’s lake they became the unofficial mascots of the club. 

  While stranded in the lake, the sharks ate fish and were occasionally fed by employees. Despite the fact that bull sharks are considered a dangerous shark species (due to their aggressive nature and penchant for living near high population areas), club members were delighted by the fearsome species presence according to the club’s general manager. Over time, the sharks have disappeared. The last reported sighting of one of the Carbrook bull sharks was eight years ago. One of the sharks was illegally fished, and it is believed that the others were carried into other bodies of water by flooding. 

  The Carbrook sharks are scientifically interesting because they are the longest recorded instance of bull sharks surviving in low salinity waters. A study published by Peter Gaussman in Marine and Fishery Science claims that the sharks could have lived up to 24 years in the lake. Despite being the longest instance, this is not the first time that bull sharks have survived for an extended amount of time in landlocked bodies of water. Due to this, Gaussman recommends that people avoid swimming in bodies of water that have been connected to the sea by flooding. Realizing the fears of many, there may actually be sharks there. 

Related Content: 

• Marine Heatwaves Harm Sharks, Turtles, Seabirds, and Other Marine Animals
• Climate Change Is Making Sharks Angrier, Here’s How!
• Why More Sharks are a Sign of Healthier Oceans
• 15 Aquariums Team Up to Save Endangered Zebra Sharks from Extinction
• One Man’s Mission to Protect Sharks Even After Losing His Limbs in a Shark Attack

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!