A popular tourist beach was evacuated after a large shark was spotted prowling the shoreline in front of stunned onlookers.
A shocked onlooker on a catamaran filmed as the sea predator was seen thrashing in the shallow water as a group of beachgoers looked on from the sand.
Other footage filmed from a beach bar, shows the shark prowling the shore as tourists film with their phones.
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Lifeguards evacuated the beach on the small Cuban island of Cayo Santa Maria.
It appeared in the sea in front of the luxury Royalton Cayo Santa Maria Hotel.
No attacks were reported although several tourists were said to be swimming in the water when it showed up.
Beachgoers scrambled out of the sea in fear.
Lifeguards helped to sound the alarm to bathers in the water.
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It is unclear how long the shark remained close to the shore before retreating to deeper waters.
One local said: “Sharks have not been seen close to the coast for years, and rarely this close to the shore.”
Manuel added: “The presence of sharks is not common on Cuban beaches.”
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Willy said: “The sea belongs to marine species, we are neither the owners of the land nor the oceans.
“In many cases, we are destroying the environment.”
According to experts, sharks often approach the coast in pursuit of prey such as fish or rays.
Last year, three hammerhead sharks were spotted approaching the shore on Anna Maria Island in Florida while hunting rays, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Changes in currents can also lead sharks towards the coast, either due to the displacement of their prey or due to environmental conditions that attract them.
Also, sharks may come closer to the coast at certain times of the year to mate or give birth, which increases their presence in shallow areas.
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