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2 clusters · 10 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Sharkzilla mako shark incidents off New York

Overview

In late July 2026, marine biologists reported a series of unusual attacks on a humpback whale, a gray seal and a large tuna in the waters off Montauk, Long Island. The damage was attributed to a nearly 12‑foot mako shark dubbed “Sharkzilla.” Initial speculation linked the shark’s size and aggression to historic dumping of nuclear waste in Hudson Canyon, though laboratory analysis later found no evidence of radioactive mutation, suggesting the animal was a naturally large, possibly pregnant, female mako.

By early August, the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week team, led by Craig O’Connell, mounted a focused hunt to locate and study the shark. Using decoys, baited cameras and a “blubber blaster,” they captured footage of several makos and a great white, ultimately tagging a large female mako and collecting tissue samples. Tests confirmed the shark was not a mutant, reinforcing the earlier conclusion that the creature’s size was natural rather than the result of contamination. The episodes highlighted ongoing scientific monitoring of the Hudson Canyon ecosystem and the public’s fascination with the unusually large predator.

Entities

Craig O'Connell · Discovery Channel · Hudson Canyon · Sharkzilla · Montauk

Timeline

  1. 25 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Discovery Channel hunts 'Sharkzilla' giant mako off New York coast

    Scientists on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week tracked a 12‑foot mako dubbed “Sharkzilla” after attacks on a whale, seal and tuna off Montauk; the tagged shark was a normal pregnant female, not a mutant.

  2. 28 days ago

    [CULTURE] 8 sources
    Giant 'Sharkzilla' Mako Shark Attacks Marine Life off New York Coast

    A 12‑foot mako shark dubbed “Sharkzilla” attacked a whale, seal and tuna off New York; scientists investigated a nuclear‑waste mutation theory but found no radiation, confirming a natural predator.

Sources

communitynews.com.au · cremation.com · dailystar.co.uk · erzsebetter.hu · kenh14.vn · metro.co.uk · nypost.com · sgtreport.com · thelibertydaily.com · vecernji.hr