Holidaygoers and beach swimmers are being urged to stay vigilant ahead of the new year after a stingray brandishing two ominous bites washed up on a picturesque Queensland beach.
Photos taken on Wednesday morning show two large bite marks on either flank of the stingray that was discovered east of Hervey Bay along K’gari Beach.
Bond University associate professor of environmental science Daryl McPhee said the stingray was likely bitten by a shark.
“K’gari has always had a lot of sharks,” Professor McPhee told Yahoo News Australia.
“The only reason why there hasn’t been too many shark bites there is because simply not many people swim there.
“So the more we swim there, the more bites I would expect to see on K’gari.”
Professor McPhee said while it was hard to tell exactly how far off shore the ray might have been when it was attacked, he said some sharks often fed on stingrays.
He said there were a number of different species of sharks that ate stingrays, including whaler and tiger sharks.
“Most shark species are opportunistic feeders, but they do like to feed on stingrays,” he said.
The species of stingray photographed does like to swim in shallow waters from time to time, according to Professor McPhee.
He added that there was every chance the shark responsible could have returned for a second course before the carcass ended up on the beach.
“It’s already got a fair chunk of the meat off, and had that still been in the water, it may well have scavenged it later,” he said.
The Queensland government has resources up and down the coastline used to track shark sightings as well as protect swimmers from any possible shark attacks.
To reduce the risk of a shark attack, it’s recommended swimmers stay between the flags and check signage along patrolled beaches this summer.
Swimming with a buddy and avoiding swimming at dusk or at night or near a big school of fish is also encouraged.
Those people fishing near popular beach areas should keep fish waste and food scraps out of the water, and swimmers are urged to avoid swimming near fishing lines.