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Monster shark gets dangerously close to unsuspecting swimmers off Perth beach

Drone footage taken off the coast of a WA beach has captured a shark lurking dangerously close to unsuspecting swimmers.

Drone Captures Shark Lurking Close to Swimmers at Perth Beaches

Terrifying footage taken off the coast of a beach in Western Australia captured the moment a shark came dangerously close to a group of unsuspecting swimmers.

The footage was taken between Whitfords Beach and Pinnaroo Point in Perth’s north. A popular spot for swimmers, snorkellers and surfers alike, it is also regularly frequented by tiger sharks.

In the last seven days there have been five shark sightings in the area including a three-metre tiger shark last week. Despite frequent closures due to shark sightings, Perth locals seem unfazed by it all.

The footage was taken between Whitfords Beach and Pinnaroo Point. Picture: Storyful
The footage was taken between Whitfords Beach and Pinnaroo Point. Picture: Storyful

The vision was taken by a WA-based drone photographer who goes by Wanderlust_flyer on Instagram. The page posts drone footage of sharks, whales and other marine life to a following of more than 16,000 people.

Captioned “Just another day in WA”, the vision shows the shark lurking in the shallows of Whitfords Beach before being spooked by two beachgoers on paddleboards. However, the shark is seen returning not long after.

The footage then shows a swimmer floating blissfully unaware of the danger under the water ending up uncomfortably close to the shark. It also shows a man who appears to be swimming with his two dogs quickly bundling them up after spotting the fin just a few metres away from him.

The vision was taken by a WA-based drone photographer. Picture: Storyful
The vision was taken by a WA-based drone photographer. Picture: Storyful

The page has given one specific tiger shark that frequents the area the nickname Trevor. Responding to a commenter asking if the shark was indeed Trevor, the page responded, “We think it’s one of his family over for Christmas and New Year.”

Others weren’t as curious with three viewers simply commenting, “Nope”, “Yeah no”, and “Yeah, nahhh.”

The video follows a warning issued by WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch just days ago, urging beachgoers to be alert for sharks this summer. The WA Labor government is set to open new shark barriers in Perth’s south over the coming weeks.

“As the weather warms up, I encourage beach, estuary and river users to download the SharkSmart WA app to stay informed and make sure they report any shark sightings immediately to Water Police,” Mr Punch said.

“If you find yourself in an emergency this summer, be sure to dial triple-0.”

Originally published as Monster shark gets dangerously close to unsuspecting swimmers off Perth beach

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/technology/science/monster-shark-gets-dangerously-close-to-unsuspecting-swimmers-off-perth-beach/news-story/56a33129bc03c4e21241a6d26b32a524