Palma.
A blue shark has been spotted off the coast of the Balearic Islands. There is no reason to panic. Why experts advise calling the emergency services anyway.
That doesn’t happen every day in Mallorca: A blue shark got lost on the beach on the Spanish holiday island. The approximately two-meter-long animal was spotted on Sunday evening by residents and visitors to the municipality of Santanyí on the beach in Cala Llombards, as reported by Mallorcan media. Santanyí, about 50 kilometers south-east of the island’s capital, Palma, is particularly popular with German holidaymakers and second-home owners.
Blauhai is seen in Santanyí
A woman did video recordingsreleased by the media showing the shark exiting after a brief struggle
swims back into the sea under its own power. Actually, blue sharks live in deeper waters and are therefore mainly far out in the sea
traveling. The sharks that are spotted near shore are mostly sick animals that stray onto the beaches.
Most recently, in June 2017, several shark sightings within a few days off the southwest coast of Mallorca had bathers in fear and
frightened. One animal – a one and a half meter long blue shark – was then caught by the Spanish Coast Guard and
euthanized. This, in turn, sparked outrage among animal rights activists.
Call 911 if you see a shark
Experts emphasize that beach holidaymakers need not be afraid. When sighting the distinctive dorsal fins, however, they should
Call 911 so specialists can help the animals.
Many vacationers have already taken advantage of the sunny weather on Mallorca for a dip in the sea over the past few days. The water temperatures
on the Playa de Palma are currently 17 degrees, the air temperature during the day is above the 20 degree mark. (dpa)
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