2012-05-04 11:10
Cape Town - A Scottish couple visiting South Africa saw their holiday turn into a nightmare after a visit to a cheetah enclosure went horribly wrong.
Violet D’Mello was attacked by tame, hand-reared cheetahs at the Kragga Kamma game reserve near Port Elizabeth, The Times reported on Friday.
The D’Mellos were in the enclosure with a family with children. One of the cheetahs grabbed a child, apparently playfully, but injuring the child.
Archibald D’Mello was taking pictures as his wife tried to stop the other children from running away when one of the cheetahs knocked her to the ground, grazing and gouging her head.
Violet later said she could tell they were just excited and not vicious, but added that “it became serious very quickly” as the cheetah’s brother also joined the fray, biting her legs and pinning her down.
"Something inside me just said, 'Don't move. Don't move at all - don't react, just play dead'."
The cats were eventually pulled off her and she ran for the gate.
"This was meant to be a holiday, but it's really turned into a nightmare," she said.
A spokesperson for the park said they would investigate the incident to see what had triggered the behaviour, saying nothing like this had ever happened before.
Centre for African Conservation Ecology director Graham Kerley told The Times that wild animals in captivity should still be considered dangerous, and it is commonly known that they do not respond well to children.
Dangerous Animal Incidents
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Sprocky
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Cheetah encounter goes horribly wrong
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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Sprocky
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Cheetahs 'attacked another tourist'
2012-05-07 08:57
Cape Town - An American woman has claimed that she was attacked by the same “tame” cheetahs that made headlines after attacking a Scottish tourist at a Port Elizabeth game reserve last week.
Michelle Bodenheimer from Portland, Oregon, told The Times that she was also attacked by cheetah cubs when she visited the same reserve with her husband in June 2009.
This followed the much publicised attack on Violet D’Mello at the Kragga Kamma game park last week.
Bodenheimer said she was deeply upset to see that Kragga Kamma had not learnt from what had happened to her.
"The attacks are not the fault of the cats [because] they could have been prevented. They are wild animals, which we tend to forget. People simply should not be allowed in [the enclosure] with these beautiful, wild creatures," said Bodenheimer.
She said she wished she had pursued the matter further at the time as it may have prevented attacks like the one on D’Mello.
Kragga Kamma manager Mike Cantor said the cheetah petting facility had been temporarily closed and that the incident was under investigation.
He admitted that last week’s attack was not the first by the cheetahs but said previous incidents had been minor.
Cape Town - An American woman has claimed that she was attacked by the same “tame” cheetahs that made headlines after attacking a Scottish tourist at a Port Elizabeth game reserve last week.
Michelle Bodenheimer from Portland, Oregon, told The Times that she was also attacked by cheetah cubs when she visited the same reserve with her husband in June 2009.
This followed the much publicised attack on Violet D’Mello at the Kragga Kamma game park last week.
Bodenheimer said she was deeply upset to see that Kragga Kamma had not learnt from what had happened to her.
"The attacks are not the fault of the cats [because] they could have been prevented. They are wild animals, which we tend to forget. People simply should not be allowed in [the enclosure] with these beautiful, wild creatures," said Bodenheimer.
She said she wished she had pursued the matter further at the time as it may have prevented attacks like the one on D’Mello.
Kragga Kamma manager Mike Cantor said the cheetah petting facility had been temporarily closed and that the incident was under investigation.
He admitted that last week’s attack was not the first by the cheetahs but said previous incidents had been minor.
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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Flutterby
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Fatal shark attack in Western Cape
News24
2012-04-19 14:22
Cape Town - A surfer was killed by two sharks near Gordon’s Bay in the Western Cape on Thursday.
The surfer, believed to be in his 20s, went out surfing with a group of friends at Dappat se Gat, a surf spot near Gordon’s Bay also known as “Caves”.
However, the NSRI's Craig Lambinon said that the man was a bodyboarder who went out with his brother.
“You can still see the two sharks in the water,” André Visser, spokesperson for ER24 told News24.
The man had various chest injuries and his body was apparently ripped apart.
The surfer’s leg is still in the water, with members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) trying to access the rest of the surfer’s corpse.
Lambinon told News24 they saw the surfer’s body when they arrived on the scene.
“People on the coastal side of False Bay must be cautious,” Lambinon warned.
Lambinon confirmed that one of the sharks was 4-5m long and is possibly a Great White. He could also only confirm that one shark was involved in the attack.
2012-04-19 14:22
Cape Town - A surfer was killed by two sharks near Gordon’s Bay in the Western Cape on Thursday.
The surfer, believed to be in his 20s, went out surfing with a group of friends at Dappat se Gat, a surf spot near Gordon’s Bay also known as “Caves”.
However, the NSRI's Craig Lambinon said that the man was a bodyboarder who went out with his brother.
“You can still see the two sharks in the water,” André Visser, spokesperson for ER24 told News24.
The man had various chest injuries and his body was apparently ripped apart.
The surfer’s leg is still in the water, with members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) trying to access the rest of the surfer’s corpse.
Lambinon told News24 they saw the surfer’s body when they arrived on the scene.
“People on the coastal side of False Bay must be cautious,” Lambinon warned.
Lambinon confirmed that one of the sharks was 4-5m long and is possibly a Great White. He could also only confirm that one shark was involved in the attack.
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Flutterby
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Re: Fatal shark attack in Western Cape
Shark documentary: Permit cancelled after attack
2012-04-19 15:30
Johannesburg - A shark research permit for a US-based documentary maker was cancelled with immediate effect after a deadly shark attack in Kogel Bay in Cape Town on Thursday, an official said.
"I cancelled all the shark research permits for the project ten minutes ago when I heard about it," director of Biodiversity and Coastal Research, Alan Boyd, said.
"This incident is a tremendous tragedy and I'm very shocked. No more field work will be proceeding from here on out."
The City of Cape Town closed the Kogel Bay beach, between Gordon's Bay and Rooi Els, after the body of the 20-year-old shark attack victim was recovered.
"We have closed the beach because there are still white sharks present in the water," spokesperson Kylie Hatton said.
The city said it was investigating and would provide more details when available.
Boyd recently granted a research permit to US-based documentary maker Chris Fischer to film great white sharks in the Cape.
At the time it caused fears this could attract sharks to populated beaches. Fischer had been in the country for the last month capturing and filming sharks in their natural habitat for the National Geographic documentary Shark Men.
Dirk Schmidt, a wildlife photographer and author of White Sharks, had called for a high shark alert to be issued, saying it was prudent.
"Unusual white shark behaviour and an increased presence, and possible shark-human interaction or even attacks cannot be excluded," Schmidt said at the time.
His concern was that up to five tons of chum (bait) would be used to attract sharks to the boat.
He said the chum slick could be blown closer to beaches by on-shore winds.
2012-04-19 15:30
Johannesburg - A shark research permit for a US-based documentary maker was cancelled with immediate effect after a deadly shark attack in Kogel Bay in Cape Town on Thursday, an official said.
"I cancelled all the shark research permits for the project ten minutes ago when I heard about it," director of Biodiversity and Coastal Research, Alan Boyd, said.
"This incident is a tremendous tragedy and I'm very shocked. No more field work will be proceeding from here on out."
The City of Cape Town closed the Kogel Bay beach, between Gordon's Bay and Rooi Els, after the body of the 20-year-old shark attack victim was recovered.
"We have closed the beach because there are still white sharks present in the water," spokesperson Kylie Hatton said.
The city said it was investigating and would provide more details when available.
Boyd recently granted a research permit to US-based documentary maker Chris Fischer to film great white sharks in the Cape.
At the time it caused fears this could attract sharks to populated beaches. Fischer had been in the country for the last month capturing and filming sharks in their natural habitat for the National Geographic documentary Shark Men.
Dirk Schmidt, a wildlife photographer and author of White Sharks, had called for a high shark alert to be issued, saying it was prudent.
"Unusual white shark behaviour and an increased presence, and possible shark-human interaction or even attacks cannot be excluded," Schmidt said at the time.
His concern was that up to five tons of chum (bait) would be used to attract sharks to the boat.
He said the chum slick could be blown closer to beaches by on-shore winds.
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Sprocky
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- Contact:
Promising SA bodyboarder killed in shark attack
2012-04-19 16:43
Cape Town - The man killed in a shark attack on Thursday has been identified as a promising young South African bodyboarder.
The bodyboarder, 20 year-old David Lilienfeld took to the water with a group of friends and his brother around 12:30 at Dappat se Gat, a surf spot between Gordon’s Bay and Kogel Bay also known as “Caves”.
According to witnesses only one shark attacked and killed Lilienfield, despite earlier reports that two were involved.
"A shark estimated to be between 4m and 5m bit him, amputating his right leg,” National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon told News24.
It is believed the shark is a Great White.
Lillienfield was brought ashore by bystanders and friends, but was confirmed dead at the scene by rescue personnel.
Following the incident, witnesses claim that up to 6 sharks could be seen in the area.
It is estimated that the sharks appeared after the attack.
Meanwhile, Lambinon warned people on the coastal side of False Bay to be cautious.
"We clearly can't force people to stay out of the water, but will say people must be careful," he told Nuus24
"If you are in the water between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, please follow the orders of the shark spotters. People on the False Bay coast must rather stay out of the water until we've investigated the incident."
- News24
Cape Town - The man killed in a shark attack on Thursday has been identified as a promising young South African bodyboarder.
The bodyboarder, 20 year-old David Lilienfeld took to the water with a group of friends and his brother around 12:30 at Dappat se Gat, a surf spot between Gordon’s Bay and Kogel Bay also known as “Caves”.
According to witnesses only one shark attacked and killed Lilienfield, despite earlier reports that two were involved.
"A shark estimated to be between 4m and 5m bit him, amputating his right leg,” National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon told News24.
It is believed the shark is a Great White.
Lillienfield was brought ashore by bystanders and friends, but was confirmed dead at the scene by rescue personnel.
Following the incident, witnesses claim that up to 6 sharks could be seen in the area.
It is estimated that the sharks appeared after the attack.
Meanwhile, Lambinon warned people on the coastal side of False Bay to be cautious.
"We clearly can't force people to stay out of the water, but will say people must be careful," he told Nuus24
"If you are in the water between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, please follow the orders of the shark spotters. People on the False Bay coast must rather stay out of the water until we've investigated the incident."
- News24
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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Flutterby
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Shark attack sparks criticism of filmmaker
Sapa | 19 April, 2012 19:39
Witness tells of horror shark attack
A "huge and aggressive" shark killed a body-boarder in Cape Town on Thursday, sparking criticism of a United States-based filmmaker, whose permit to research sharks was cancelled after the attack.
Documentary maker Chris Fischer, who was busy with a production for National Geographic, posted a message on the television show Shark Men's Facebook page denying that his team was responsible for the man's death.
"There has been tragic news in False Bay today. A body-boarder has been taken by a white shark. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family that has been affected," he said.
Fischer's team had released chum (shark bait) into nearby waters a few days ago to draw the elusive creatures nearer for filming purposes.
"We departed False Bay over three days ago after working there from Sunday afternoon... to Monday afternoon... During our 24 hrs of work... there we chummed 24kg of pilchards (sardines)."
This was less than the amount released by each of three cage diving boats per day, Fischer said.
"We are terribly sorry again for the loss of this family and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Fischer has been in the country for the past month filming sharks in their natural habitat for the documentary "Shark Men".
Earlier, an eyewitness described how the shark attacked the man three times in Kogel Bay.
"It was a horror show. It looked like something from the Jaws movie," seasoned surfer Matt Marais told Sapa in a telephonic interview.
"What was supposed to be a fun day at the beach turned out to be any surfer's worst nightmare and it happened in minutes, in front of my eyes."
The victim's brother was believed to have been with him in the water when the great white shark, said to be between four and five metres long, killed him.
The man was lying on his body-board, waiting for a wave to surf when a fin appeared, said Marais.
"I had just gotten out of the water when I saw the dorsal fin... The shark was huge and aggressive and just went for him, not once but three times."
The first time, the body-boarder fought back, trying to get the board between him and the shark. The second time, it pulled him under and the third time, it was "as if someone pushed a button and the sea just turned red."
Marais, who has been a surfer for 19 years, said the predator then hung around the shallow water.
ER24 spokesman Andre Visser said when paramedics arrived on scene, the shark was still present and the man's leg was floating in the water.
The City of Cape Town closed the beach, which is between Gordon's Bay and Rooi Els, after the attack.
"We have closed the beach because there are still [great] white sharks present in the water," spokeswoman Kylie Hatton said, adding that it would probably remain closed until Friday morning.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said there were no other bite marks or lacerations on the dead man's body.
"Only the complete amputation of the right leg, and the leg has not been recovered," said spokesman Craig Lambinon.
"Eye-witnesses have told NSRI that a single four to five-metre white shark was involved in this incident. Eye-witnesses claim that following the incident [up to] six sharks were counted in the area," said Lambinon.
After the attack, Biodiversity and Coastal Research director Alan Boyd cancelled Fischer's research permit.
"This incident is a tremendous tragedy and I'm very shocked. No more field work will be proceeding from here on out," said Boyd.
Initially, when the permit was approved, there were fears that chumming could attract sharks to populated beaches.
At the time, Dirk Schmidt, a wildlife photographer and author of "White Sharks", said it was prudent for a high shark alert to be issued.
His concern was that up to five tons of chum (bait) would be used to attract sharks to the boat. He said the chum slick could be blown closer to beaches by on-shore winds.
Despite this, Boyd issued the permit, saying chumming would have little effect close to shore.
Facebook users attacked Fischer on his Facebook page on Thursday.
"Shame on you! Piss off! So angry, that's my home break where this happened. Hope you, your boat and your life sinks to the deepest parts of the ocean...," wrote one person.
Western Cape police said an inquest case docket had been registered and that the circumstances surrounding the body-boarder's death would be investigated.
Lt-Col Andre Traut said that even though the shark attack victim's name had been carried by some media and was being distributed on Facebook, the police would release it only on Friday out of respect for his family.
Witness tells of horror shark attack
A "huge and aggressive" shark killed a body-boarder in Cape Town on Thursday, sparking criticism of a United States-based filmmaker, whose permit to research sharks was cancelled after the attack.
Documentary maker Chris Fischer, who was busy with a production for National Geographic, posted a message on the television show Shark Men's Facebook page denying that his team was responsible for the man's death.
"There has been tragic news in False Bay today. A body-boarder has been taken by a white shark. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family that has been affected," he said.
Fischer's team had released chum (shark bait) into nearby waters a few days ago to draw the elusive creatures nearer for filming purposes.
"We departed False Bay over three days ago after working there from Sunday afternoon... to Monday afternoon... During our 24 hrs of work... there we chummed 24kg of pilchards (sardines)."
This was less than the amount released by each of three cage diving boats per day, Fischer said.
"We are terribly sorry again for the loss of this family and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Fischer has been in the country for the past month filming sharks in their natural habitat for the documentary "Shark Men".
Earlier, an eyewitness described how the shark attacked the man three times in Kogel Bay.
"It was a horror show. It looked like something from the Jaws movie," seasoned surfer Matt Marais told Sapa in a telephonic interview.
"What was supposed to be a fun day at the beach turned out to be any surfer's worst nightmare and it happened in minutes, in front of my eyes."
The victim's brother was believed to have been with him in the water when the great white shark, said to be between four and five metres long, killed him.
The man was lying on his body-board, waiting for a wave to surf when a fin appeared, said Marais.
"I had just gotten out of the water when I saw the dorsal fin... The shark was huge and aggressive and just went for him, not once but three times."
The first time, the body-boarder fought back, trying to get the board between him and the shark. The second time, it pulled him under and the third time, it was "as if someone pushed a button and the sea just turned red."
Marais, who has been a surfer for 19 years, said the predator then hung around the shallow water.
ER24 spokesman Andre Visser said when paramedics arrived on scene, the shark was still present and the man's leg was floating in the water.
The City of Cape Town closed the beach, which is between Gordon's Bay and Rooi Els, after the attack.
"We have closed the beach because there are still [great] white sharks present in the water," spokeswoman Kylie Hatton said, adding that it would probably remain closed until Friday morning.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said there were no other bite marks or lacerations on the dead man's body.
"Only the complete amputation of the right leg, and the leg has not been recovered," said spokesman Craig Lambinon.
"Eye-witnesses have told NSRI that a single four to five-metre white shark was involved in this incident. Eye-witnesses claim that following the incident [up to] six sharks were counted in the area," said Lambinon.
After the attack, Biodiversity and Coastal Research director Alan Boyd cancelled Fischer's research permit.
"This incident is a tremendous tragedy and I'm very shocked. No more field work will be proceeding from here on out," said Boyd.
Initially, when the permit was approved, there were fears that chumming could attract sharks to populated beaches.
At the time, Dirk Schmidt, a wildlife photographer and author of "White Sharks", said it was prudent for a high shark alert to be issued.
His concern was that up to five tons of chum (bait) would be used to attract sharks to the boat. He said the chum slick could be blown closer to beaches by on-shore winds.
Despite this, Boyd issued the permit, saying chumming would have little effect close to shore.
Facebook users attacked Fischer on his Facebook page on Thursday.
"Shame on you! Piss off! So angry, that's my home break where this happened. Hope you, your boat and your life sinks to the deepest parts of the ocean...," wrote one person.
Western Cape police said an inquest case docket had been registered and that the circumstances surrounding the body-boarder's death would be investigated.
Lt-Col Andre Traut said that even though the shark attack victim's name had been carried by some media and was being distributed on Facebook, the police would release it only on Friday out of respect for his family.
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Sprocky
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'I tried to save my brother from shark'
2012-04-20 09:10
Cape Town - The younger brother of the man who died after he was attacked by a shark while bodyboarding at Kogel Bay, said he did everything he could to help his brother.
David Lillienfield, 20, was killed after a shark ripped off his leg and he lost a vast amount of blood.
Eyewitness News reported that his brother Gustav, 18, was bodyboarding nearby with a friend and saw the shark attack his brother.
He grabbed hold of his brother and swam with him to the rocks but his brother’s injuries were too severe.
The traumatised brother was seen with friends at the scene on Thursday afternoon.
He was extremely emotional and supported by friends as well as his father, Dirk.
According to the Cape Times, Dirk Lillienfield, a medical practitioner, told the media at the scene that "David was a Springbok bodyboarder. This was his life and he died doing what he loved."
The South African Bodyboarding Association said Lilienfeld's death was a major blow to the sport.
“It’s a humongous loss to South African Bodyboarding. He was a well mannered boy and did his best for South African Bodyboarding. He represented South Africa at the world games in November,” Saba vice chairperson Pat Harris told Eyewitness News.
Cape Town - The younger brother of the man who died after he was attacked by a shark while bodyboarding at Kogel Bay, said he did everything he could to help his brother.
David Lillienfield, 20, was killed after a shark ripped off his leg and he lost a vast amount of blood.
Eyewitness News reported that his brother Gustav, 18, was bodyboarding nearby with a friend and saw the shark attack his brother.
He grabbed hold of his brother and swam with him to the rocks but his brother’s injuries were too severe.
The traumatised brother was seen with friends at the scene on Thursday afternoon.
He was extremely emotional and supported by friends as well as his father, Dirk.
According to the Cape Times, Dirk Lillienfield, a medical practitioner, told the media at the scene that "David was a Springbok bodyboarder. This was his life and he died doing what he loved."
The South African Bodyboarding Association said Lilienfeld's death was a major blow to the sport.
“It’s a humongous loss to South African Bodyboarding. He was a well mannered boy and did his best for South African Bodyboarding. He represented South Africa at the world games in November,” Saba vice chairperson Pat Harris told Eyewitness News.
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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Sprocky
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City backs filmmaker after shark attack claims
2012-04-20 22:06
Cape Town - The tagging of False Bay sharks for a documentary could not be linked to an attack on a bodyboarder, the City of Cape Town said on Friday.
"The lack of satellite signal is clear information that the shark involved in the attack is not one of the sharks tagged by the Ocearch Research Programme," environmental policy and strategy head Gregg Oelofse said.
"Two of the sharks tagged in False Bay have given off signals and were located in the Macassar/Strandfontein area [about 20km away] shortly before the attack."
Oelofse said there was therefore no evidence to suggest the tagging of four great white sharks had any role to play in the attack.
The City also defended documentary-maker Chris Fischer's use of chum [bait], saying the amount was insignificant.
"The Ocearch programme operated in False Bay at Seal Island on Sunday and Monday... Any residual chum from their activities would have dissipated within hours, and due to the wind direction, moved from the island in an opposite direction to that of Kogel Bay."
SA bodyboarding team member David Lilienfield, 20, was at popular surfing area, Caves, in Kogel Bay with his brother around noon on Thursday when a great white shark attacked him.
The shark made three passes at him and bit his right leg on the third pass. He died in the water from a loss of blood and his body washed up on the shore.
Nor responsible
Fischer had also defended the actions of his team, the target of stinging criticism on Facebook after the attack
He had posted a message on the television show Shark Men's Facebook page on Thursday denying that his team was responsible for the man's death.
"We departed False Bay over three days ago after working there from Sunday afternoon... to Monday afternoon... During our 24 hrs of work... there we chummed 24kg of pilchards [sardines]."
This was less than the amount released by each of three cage diving boats per day, Fischer said.
"We are terribly sorry again for the loss of this family and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Facebook users had attacked Fischer on the Shark Men Facebook page, where South Africans blamed the documentary-makers for the man's death.
His research permit was cancelled by the environmental affairs department shortly after the attack.
Biodiversity and Coastal Research director Alan Boyd said at the time the attack was a tremendous tragedy and he was very shocked.
"No more field work will be proceeding from here on out," he said.
Boyd recently granted the permit to Fischer to film great white sharks in the Cape. At the time it caused fears this could attract sharks to populated beaches.
Fischer had been in the country for the past month capturing and filming sharks in their natural habitat for the National Geographic documentary Shark Men.
Dirk Schmidt, a wildlife photographer and author of White Sharks, had called for a high shark alert to be issued, saying possible shark-human interaction or even attacks could not be excluded.
His concern was that up to five tons of chum (bait) would be used to attract sharks to the boat. He said the chum slick could be blown closer to beaches by on-shore winds.
At the time Boyd issued the permit, he said the chumming would have little effect close to shore, especially as the large amount would be used over a 20-day period all along the southern coast.
Uninformed
The City of Cape Town said that although it had no role in the research programme it was essential to provide the correct information to the public as "linking the two unrelated activities is uninformed and misleading".
It had interviewed all eyewitnesses and considered their information to be accurate.
An eyewitness reported seeing a pod of 30 dolphins moving through the area before the attack, as well as a number of birds feeding on fish.
This could have been an indication that sharks were following a school of fish.
"Considering all the above, it is the view of this report that the fatal shark attack could not have been avoided within reasonable means," the City said.
"Cape Town is a city of 3.5 million people residing along a coastline which forms the natural habitat for [great] white sharks. An unfortunate, tragic and regrettable result of this will be that, on occasion, shark attacks will occur."
The last shark attack in the area was in July 1999, which was not fatal.
In 2006, the Shark Spotters programme did a trial run at Caves, but this was unsuccessful because the area was difficult to access.
The programme was tasked with reporting back by April 30 on requirements for installing a full-time shark spotting service.
The closest signboard detailing shark safety was at Kogel Bay Resort.
The City was satisfied that all emergency procedures were followed following the attack.
- SAPA
Cape Town - The tagging of False Bay sharks for a documentary could not be linked to an attack on a bodyboarder, the City of Cape Town said on Friday.
"The lack of satellite signal is clear information that the shark involved in the attack is not one of the sharks tagged by the Ocearch Research Programme," environmental policy and strategy head Gregg Oelofse said.
"Two of the sharks tagged in False Bay have given off signals and were located in the Macassar/Strandfontein area [about 20km away] shortly before the attack."
Oelofse said there was therefore no evidence to suggest the tagging of four great white sharks had any role to play in the attack.
The City also defended documentary-maker Chris Fischer's use of chum [bait], saying the amount was insignificant.
"The Ocearch programme operated in False Bay at Seal Island on Sunday and Monday... Any residual chum from their activities would have dissipated within hours, and due to the wind direction, moved from the island in an opposite direction to that of Kogel Bay."
SA bodyboarding team member David Lilienfield, 20, was at popular surfing area, Caves, in Kogel Bay with his brother around noon on Thursday when a great white shark attacked him.
The shark made three passes at him and bit his right leg on the third pass. He died in the water from a loss of blood and his body washed up on the shore.
Nor responsible
Fischer had also defended the actions of his team, the target of stinging criticism on Facebook after the attack
He had posted a message on the television show Shark Men's Facebook page on Thursday denying that his team was responsible for the man's death.
"We departed False Bay over three days ago after working there from Sunday afternoon... to Monday afternoon... During our 24 hrs of work... there we chummed 24kg of pilchards [sardines]."
This was less than the amount released by each of three cage diving boats per day, Fischer said.
"We are terribly sorry again for the loss of this family and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Facebook users had attacked Fischer on the Shark Men Facebook page, where South Africans blamed the documentary-makers for the man's death.
His research permit was cancelled by the environmental affairs department shortly after the attack.
Biodiversity and Coastal Research director Alan Boyd said at the time the attack was a tremendous tragedy and he was very shocked.
"No more field work will be proceeding from here on out," he said.
Boyd recently granted the permit to Fischer to film great white sharks in the Cape. At the time it caused fears this could attract sharks to populated beaches.
Fischer had been in the country for the past month capturing and filming sharks in their natural habitat for the National Geographic documentary Shark Men.
Dirk Schmidt, a wildlife photographer and author of White Sharks, had called for a high shark alert to be issued, saying possible shark-human interaction or even attacks could not be excluded.
His concern was that up to five tons of chum (bait) would be used to attract sharks to the boat. He said the chum slick could be blown closer to beaches by on-shore winds.
At the time Boyd issued the permit, he said the chumming would have little effect close to shore, especially as the large amount would be used over a 20-day period all along the southern coast.
Uninformed
The City of Cape Town said that although it had no role in the research programme it was essential to provide the correct information to the public as "linking the two unrelated activities is uninformed and misleading".
It had interviewed all eyewitnesses and considered their information to be accurate.
An eyewitness reported seeing a pod of 30 dolphins moving through the area before the attack, as well as a number of birds feeding on fish.
This could have been an indication that sharks were following a school of fish.
"Considering all the above, it is the view of this report that the fatal shark attack could not have been avoided within reasonable means," the City said.
"Cape Town is a city of 3.5 million people residing along a coastline which forms the natural habitat for [great] white sharks. An unfortunate, tragic and regrettable result of this will be that, on occasion, shark attacks will occur."
The last shark attack in the area was in July 1999, which was not fatal.
In 2006, the Shark Spotters programme did a trial run at Caves, but this was unsuccessful because the area was difficult to access.
The programme was tasked with reporting back by April 30 on requirements for installing a full-time shark spotting service.
The closest signboard detailing shark safety was at Kogel Bay Resort.
The City was satisfied that all emergency procedures were followed following the attack.
- SAPA
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
-
Sprocky
- Posts: 7121
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
- Country: South Africa
- Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
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Paddle-out at Camps Bay for body boarder
2012-04-21 15:30
Cape Town - A memorial service is under way at Camps Bay beach on Saturday for a body boarder who was killed by a great white shark.
A group of surfers are undertaking a paddle-out in memory of 20-year-old David Lilienfeld, said eyewitness to the attack, Matt Marais.
Lilienfeld died on Thursday in Kogel Bay.
He was in the water with his younger brother when a shark, estimated at between four and five metres, attacked him.
"What was supposed to be a fun day at the beach turned out to be any surfer's worst nightmare and it happened in minutes, in front of my eyes," Marais said at the time.
Lilienfeld had been lying on his body board waiting for a wave to surf when a dorsal fin appeared.
After the attack the Department of Environmental Affairs cancelled a research permit for the filming of sharks.
- SAPA
Cape Town - A memorial service is under way at Camps Bay beach on Saturday for a body boarder who was killed by a great white shark.
A group of surfers are undertaking a paddle-out in memory of 20-year-old David Lilienfeld, said eyewitness to the attack, Matt Marais.
Lilienfeld died on Thursday in Kogel Bay.
He was in the water with his younger brother when a shark, estimated at between four and five metres, attacked him.
"What was supposed to be a fun day at the beach turned out to be any surfer's worst nightmare and it happened in minutes, in front of my eyes," Marais said at the time.
Lilienfeld had been lying on his body board waiting for a wave to surf when a dorsal fin appeared.
After the attack the Department of Environmental Affairs cancelled a research permit for the filming of sharks.
- SAPA
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
-
Sprocky
- Posts: 7121
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
- Country: South Africa
- Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
- Contact:
High shark activity in Cape Town
2012-04-27 18:00
Cape Town - Shark Spotters hoisted red flags and cleared beaches that include Glencairn, the Caves in Kogel Bay, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg, the City of Cape Town said on Friday.
The decision was taken after seven shark sightings had been reported along the False Bay coastline by early afternoon.
The red flag with a white shark indicates a high shark alert, and is commonly raised after a shark has been sighted in the area, and when there is exceptionally high shark activity, the City's statement said.
"Beach users are reminded that the Shark Spotters’ programme employs the flag system to warn the public about shark activity in the area, as well as shark spotting conditions.
"The City wishes to appeal to the public to comply with the Shark Spotters warning system, and to obey instructions to clear the beach."
The city urged beach users to be vigilant along the False Bay coastline and to obey the instructions given by shark spotters and law enforcement officers.
- News24
Cape Town - Shark Spotters hoisted red flags and cleared beaches that include Glencairn, the Caves in Kogel Bay, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg, the City of Cape Town said on Friday.
The decision was taken after seven shark sightings had been reported along the False Bay coastline by early afternoon.
The red flag with a white shark indicates a high shark alert, and is commonly raised after a shark has been sighted in the area, and when there is exceptionally high shark activity, the City's statement said.
"Beach users are reminded that the Shark Spotters’ programme employs the flag system to warn the public about shark activity in the area, as well as shark spotting conditions.
"The City wishes to appeal to the public to comply with the Shark Spotters warning system, and to obey instructions to clear the beach."
The city urged beach users to be vigilant along the False Bay coastline and to obey the instructions given by shark spotters and law enforcement officers.
- News24
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.