Incident Report
Snorkeller Bitten by Wobbegong at Rottnest Island, Western Australia (January 1989)
rottnest island, parker point, Western Australia·Australia
A male snorkeller sustained bite injuries to his leg from a 1.2-metre wobbegong shark at Parker Point, Rottnest Island in January 1989. The incident resulted in non-fatal injuries.
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Incident Profile
Individual
Location
Description
In January 1989, a snorkelling incident occurred at Parker Point on Rottnest Island, Western Australia, involving a wobbegong shark approximately 1.2 metres in length. The male snorkeller sustained teeth marks to his leg during the encounter. The victim was injured but not fatally. Wobbegongs are benthic sharks commonly found in Australian waters, typically spending time near the seafloor and rocky areas. Incidents involving this species are relatively uncommon, as they are generally not aggressive toward humans. This injury represents a rare interaction between a snorkeller and a wobbegong in one of Western Australia's popular marine recreation areas.