From http://urbanlegends.about.com
Are Sharks Prowling the Streets of New Orleans?
Among the many rumors circulating in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is the claim that sharks have been seen prowling the flooded byways of New Orleans. "Sharks were reported swimming in the streets," declared an overseas newspaper account credited to AP and Reuters. "Sharks and alligators are eating people in downtown New Orleans," an unidentified rumormonger was overheard saying in Shrevesport.While I wouldn't want to chalk these reports up entirely to hysteria, I think we can safely say they're a tad exaggerated. Sifting through earlier news accounts in an effort to track the rumor back to its origin, I found repeated references to unnamed "authorities" and "officials" reporting one "3-foot shark cruising the city." Which authorities? Which officials? Digging further, I could only find mention of one by name: Mayor Aaron Broussard of Jefferson Parish (a New Orleans suburb), who, according to the August 30 issue of the Palm Beach Post, "told residents Tuesday that at least one 3-foot shark had been spotted."
Again, that's one small shark reportedly sighted — exactly where and by whom, we don't know — and as far as we know he hadn't eaten anybody.
As for alligator sightings, those are to be expected in Louisiana waters, as are snake sightings, and even the occasional floating ant ball.
Once again more hysteria.
Bull sharks are responsible for the most attacks on man worldwide. This is because of a few reasons. One they are widely distributed around the globe, two they can and do frequent fresh water thereby further extending their range and possible contact with people, and finally they have the highest levels of testosterone than any other creature on earth making them very aggressive.
Tiger sharks are big bad mofo's that are dangerous because of their propensity to eat anything and their size. If they attack you, they wanna eat you.
Great Whites are fearsome because they are so fricken large, but in most great white attacks, it's merely a taste test. Unfortunately when something like that tastes you, you might just bleed to death.
The most dangerous shark to man is actually the oceanic white tip. This is the shark that's usually on the scene when a ship sinks, they leave very few survivors in the water. But as it has very little contact with man, few confirmed attacks are reported.
Of these species only the Bull and the Tiger are found in the gulf with any regularity. Of those two only the Bull can live in fresh water. However, any and all reports of sharks in New Orleans (except the sighting of a small 3 footer) are unsubstantiated and it is unlikely that a shark could live for long in that water which is becoming like a giant cess pool.
How's that botankus?
although it may be urban legend, freak occurances like this do happen.
check this out: http://www.sharkattackphotos.com/1916_Shark_Attack.htm
a local NJ legend which is all too true. somehow a great white managed to make its way into a small lake right by where i used to live.
Originally posted by PVS
although it may be urban legend, freak occurances like this do happen.
check this out: http://www.sharkattackphotos.com/1916_Shark_Attack.htma local NJ legend which is all too true. somehow a great white managed to make its way into a small lake right by where i used to live.
Originally posted by KharmaDog
That story was one of the inspirations for JAWS.
Originally posted by botankus
Okay, who's the resident KMC shark expert? I know there's only like 5 or 6 sharks in that vicinity that are any potential threat to man, and I believe the bull shark is one of them. I remember reading that tiger sharks were responsible for the most attacks.
yeah , sharks are a potential threat to man. They consume gasoline, burn up the atmosphere, increasing the worlds' temperature and making global warming a reality. Now they swim the streets cause the poor poor humans could not have taken care of the levees.
But dont worry ; with all that toxic brew made up of gasoline, diesel, anti-freeze, bleach, human waste, acids, alcohols and a host of other substances will kill them off and contaminate the rest of the environment 🙄
Originally posted by jaden101
heard about it...aren't bull sharks supposed to be in the gulf of mexico...given that it was the levvies from lake pontchartrain that failed then unless they swim in there too then i cant see how this is true cause i'm pretty sure that the gulf levvies didn't fail
There is a difference between them failing(which means they collapsed) and the sea water over taking them. New Orleans was like a city built inteh bottom of a cereal bowl. They stood no chance.