‘Law-Abiding’ Shark Makes Its Way Into Shallows of Australian Beach Mere Feet From Swimmers

Chilling footage shows stunned revelers at Australia’s Manly Beach as a “law-abiding” shark came perilously close to shore.

Just after 10 am on Tuesday, a beachgoer identified as Kobie spotted the interloper making haste towards bathers. It was even more peculiar that the shark stayed mindfully between the flags which lined the perimeter designated for human swimmers.

“Everyone is evacuating the water and [a] shark alarm sounded,” Kobie reported to Manly Observer as the dramatic incident unfolded. “A man was literally like [six feet] from the shark and a lifeguard used his board to shield them as they walked into shore.”

That very moment is vividly captured in the video, which shows a proactive lifeguard shielding a man who seems to be admiring the shark, taking his time as he exits the infested waters.

Kobie only spotted the creature’s fin, so he could not guess what breed of shark it was. However, someone who weighed in on Manly Observer’s clip was better equipped to identify it.

An Instagram user called Mauceano, who identifies themselves as a wildlife photographer, said the shark was a “whaler,” otherwise known as a copper shark. “The caudal fin discards white shark 100 percent, [the] distance between first and second dorsal (and torso size for that length) discard bull [shark], and tiny second dorsal discards gray nurse,” Mauceano said of their process of elimination. They were able to provide their opinion thanks to astonishing drone footage which captured the predator from a different angle.

Manly Observer confirmed that the episode ended happily for all, with no injuries to any humans or the shark. “He has safely moved on (passed [sic] the nets, which are busy capturing non-target species) and chasing fish farther afield,” the outlet reported.