The waters off the New York coastline have been the site of a series of mysterious attacks on marine life, sparking theories that a mutant shark could be responsible.
A 24-inch wound on a humpback whale, a 400lb tuna ravaged in the ocean, and a grey seal suffering from a huge bite mark have all been reported in the region of Montauk at the east end of Long Island.
Local shark scientist Craig O'Connell has suggested that a 12-foot-long Mako shark, dubbed Sharkzilla, could be behind the attacks, which have been documented in a new Discovery Channel show, Sharkzilla Takes New York.
However, O'Connell has also raised the possibility that the local wildlife could have fallen victim to leaking barrels of nuclear waste, stored in an underwater canyon in the area for decades.
He notes that radioactive leaks could impact wildlife, even top predators, and cause genetic mutations and abnormal growth.
According to O'Connell, "If this predator is genetically altered, it could be faster, stronger and deadlier than any predator on earth. We are calling it Sharkzilla."
O'Connell and his team attempted to capture footage of the shark using a 'baited' camera, but it was not until they used other methods, including a decoy dolphin fitted with a piece of tuna and a 'blubber blaster' designed to imitate the remains of a dead whale, that they were able to get close enough to collect tissue samples.
However, analysis of the samples revealed that there was no evidence to support the theory of a radioactive mutant shark, and that Sharkzilla was simply a pregnant female Mako seeking out food sources for her young pups.
The discovery does suggest, however, that sharks could be returning to Montauk, an area once famous for its shark populations before overfishing devastated their numbers.
The Mako shark, known as the world's fastest shark, can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh as much as 1,250lb, and while they may look intimidating, the chances of humans coming into contact with them are relatively rare.
According to data from the International Shark Attack File, there are just 10 recorded attacks on humans by Mako sharks between 1980 and 2024, of which three proved fatal.
Despite the risks, shark attacks remain relatively rare, with PETA stating that the chances of a human being killed by any type of shark are around 1 in 3.7 million.
