Young Swimmer Bitten by Lemon Shark at North West Island

The victim was a seven-year-old child, and her family subsequently claimed the same individual lemon shark had been responsible for a prior attack in the same area, raising scientifically interesting questions about repeat localised behaviour by a single animal.

On the evening of January 7, 2020, a young swimmer was bitten by a lemon shark while swimming at North West Island, Queensland, Australia. The incident resulted in lacerations to the victim's leg, classified as minor injuries that did not require fatal intervention. The attack occurred in the Coral Sea off North West Island, a location within Queensland's waters. Lemon sharks, identifiable by their yellowish coloration and found throughout Australian coastal regions, were responsible for this unprovoked encounter. The victim was swimming during evening hours when the attack took place. Following the incident, the victim's family raised questions about whether the same shark might have been involved in a previous attack in the area, suggesting a possible pattern of repeated interactions by the same individual animal. This concern contributed to ongoing discussions about shark behavior and the management of potentially dangerous wildlife in frequented recreational waters. The incident was documented within Australia's comprehensive shark attack record-keeping system. Queensland, where this attack occurred, has one of Australia's highest documented frequencies of shark incidents, with hundreds of recorded attacks across various coastal locations. North West Island and its surrounding waters remain areas where swimmers and water enthusiasts should remain aware of potential wildlife encounters. The case underscores the importance of understanding shark behavior, recognizing environmental risk factors, and implementing appropriate water safety protocols in Australian coastal environments.