On January 5, a great white shark attacked and killed a diver off the coast of Mexico.
According to reports, the incident happened while the victim, identified as 19-year-old Manuel Lopez, was harvesting a type of marine food known as ax tripe.
The New York Post reported that the victim was diving from a town called Paredn Colorado in order to collect the ax tripe, which usually live in deep water. His expedition was cut short after the shark bit his head.
Eyewitness Jose Bernal said that the victim was diving when the shark attacked him. It reportedly ripped off his head and bit his shoulders.
The incident occurred as fishermen were on high alert due to an increase in shark sightings in the area.
According to reports, Mr Lopez was in need of money and decided to carry on with his fishing expedition despite the warnings.
It is not clear why he decided to kill, but it’s believed that he was triggered by the sounds and turbulence he created while he was harvesting the marine food.
Sharks are known to take “experimental” bites whenever humans are mistaken for seals.
Although these attacks usually end after the animals realize that the victim is not their preferred prey, exploratory attacks can be catastrophic due to the great white’s rows of meat-shearing teeth and serrated edges.
According to the shark tracking organization, great white sightings are most likely to occur in December and January in the Gulf of California.
During that time, pregnant sharks are known to search for fat-filled sea lions.