A fisherman lost his leg in a bull shark attack in India. Vikas Suresh Gowari, 34, was fishing on February 24 near Maharashtra’s Palghar district.
He entered the Vaitarna River when the shark circled him and bit his left calf. Several people who heard his screams came to his aid and assisted him out of the water.
He passed out due to blood loss and was taken to a hospital where his leg was amputated below the knee. Photos of the wound show the bite nearly severed his entire leg, exposing his tibia bone fully.
Locals filmed the shark swimming near the shore, splashing its tail on the surface. The shark was killed, though some locals say it was accidental, while trying to save the shark. The bull shark measured nearly 7 feet long and weighed almost 286 pounds.
Unconfirmed reports indicate the shark may have been pregnant with 15 pups. However, a marine biologist from Palghar said it was unlikely. Sources familiar with the area related that the shark had been spotted earlier in the day and that clothes washers and bathers were warned to avoid entering the water. Additionally, some reports indicate Gowari was collecting sticks from the water.
Some locals have theorized the attack occurred due to the degradation of the shark’s habitat being destroyed along with overfishing.
The location has been marked on the 2024 Shark Attack Map.
