Australian journalist Philip Calder was reportedly in Ayr, Queensland Thursday to shoot video of the flooding in the town after Cyclone Debbie passed through the area. As reported by Times Leader, he was heading to the Rita Island community – cut off by the recent flood waters – when he was shocked to discover the dead body of a Bull Shark lying in a puddle on the road. According to Calder, the shark, measuring around five feet in length, is now “the talk of the town” and locals have been coming out in numbers to touch the dead bull shark.
‘Sharknado’ becomes real in Queensland
Naturally many people on social media immediately drew a connection between the bull shark and the Syfy film “sharknado.” In that movie, sharks are picked up by cyclones and dropped in cities, causing chaos. However, Calder, who works for WIN News Townsville, said in this case it was more likely the shark had washed inland on the Burdekin River. The Queensland river is apparently known to be home to sharks, barracudas and turtles. He said bull sharks particularly are common in that area and many live close to nearby communities.
The only victim of Burdekin flooding...a bull shark. #CycloneDebbie @WINNews_TVL pic.twitter.com/ZXZGlAVV16
— Philip Calder (@philipjcalder) March 30, 2017
Calder continued by telling News.com.au that the bull shark must have got caught up in a torrent and, in a state of confusion, managed to beach himself on the side of the flooded road.
Calder did add that the bull shark was fortunately the only victim of the Burdekin floods and that the town of Ayr suffered only moderate flooding. He added that residents had escaped the worst of the cyclone, for which they are all "pretty relieved."
#Sharknado. Locals at #Ayr sadly discover another of the untold thousands of marine and land animals that were victims of #CycloneDebbie pic.twitter.com/tMf2WBomQH
— Marcus Middleton (@MMiddleton_10) March 30, 2017
Beware of what lies beneath after a cyclone
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services posted a photo of the shark, warning the public that you never know what might lurk beneath the surface when there is a severe storm – or what might wash up in its aftermath.
They added the hashtag #ifitsfloodedforgetit.
Think it's safe to go back in the water? Think again! A bull shark washed up in Ayr. Stay out of floodwater. #TCDebbie #ifitsfloodedforgetit pic.twitter.com/DpP29Va1JG
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) March 30, 2017
According to one image of the shark posted on Instagram, officials towed the bull shark back to the river, but it was reportedly too late. Meanwhile thousands of people in Australia lost power when Cyclone Debbie slammed ashore on Tuesday, with winds reportedly up to 160 mph.
