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Swan River bull shark sighted a week after attack Cameron Wrathall Blackwall Reach attack

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Caitlyn RintoulThe West Australian
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VideoInterview with daughters of a man attacked by a bull shark in the Swan River.

A week after a bull shark attack in Perth’s Swan River and a flood of sightings, another huge bull shark was spotted just 10m from shore today.

A member of the public reported seeing a two-metre bull shark near Canning Bridge heading towards Perth about 12.45pm.

Last Thursday morning’s attack on swimmer Cameron Wrathall at Blackwall Reach in Bicton shocked Perth as the first in the Swan River by the notoriously aggressive species in nearly 50 years.

*** ONLINE MUST RUN WATERMARKED PIC ***
The victim of a shark attack at Blackwall Reach this morning arrives at Royal Perth Hospital
Picture 7NEWS
Camera Icon*** ONLINE MUST RUN WATERMARKED PIC *** The victim of a shark attack at Blackwall Reach this morning arrives at Royal Perth Hospital Picture 7NEWS Credit: 7NEWS

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Mr Wrathall was just metres out when he was bitten on the upper thigh by a three metre bull shark — much like previous attacks in Perth’s main waterway. Those previously bitten were primarily attacked around the thigh area — due to the shark’s smaller size and the relatively shallow depth of the water.

Bull sharks, also known as river whalers, can grow to 3.4 metres and can travel far up rivers thanks to their tolerance for fresh-brackish water and have been caught as far upstream as the Maylands Yacht Club.

Other sightings since the attack include a 3m bull shark spotted on Monday evening at Point Walter Boat Ramp at the dog beach heading to Alfred Cove.

An hour earlier a 1.8m bull shark was sighted breaching at Aquinas Bay about 20m offshore.

On January 15 a 2m shark of unknown species was sighted 5m offshore at Deep Water Point.

Hours earlier several people reported a medium size shark chasing fish 5m offshore at the Mount Henry Bridge Reserve.

Following the attack on Mr Wrathall on January 14, the public reported a shark at Mount Henry Bridge and later Mosman Beach.

Also today about 2.20pm a school of 10 small sharks of an unknown species were sighted 100m offshore near the Wellstead Estuary Boat Ramp in Bremer Bay.

Cameron Wrathall was at Blackwall Reach when he was attacked.
Camera IconCameron Wrathall was at Blackwall Reach when he was attacked. Credit: Facebook/The West Australian

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