HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A 10-to-12-foot mako shark, one of the fastest fish in the world, was spotted in North Lake in Hollywood, surprising residents and raising concerns about its health.
Jeanette Nevins, who lives near the lake, said she had never seen anything like it.
”We’ve seen manatees and dolphins, but no sharks. And he’s big. He’s pretty big,” she said.
Nick Zucarro and his fiancée, Megan Meadows, were the first to notice the shark Monday evening.
”We’ve seen small sharks in here, but nothing that size or species,” Zucarro said.
The couple said the shark appeared sluggish and even rammed their boat at one point.
“We knew it wasn’t supposed to be there,” Meadows said.
Residents noted the shark seemed to be struggling in the brackish water, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway.
“It’s more sad than anything,” resident Michael Borrello said. “We’re seeing a fish that should be able to do anything in that environment and it’s suffering right now.”
Experts say it’s not uncommon for sharks to end up in the area, especially if they’re chasing food.
“He’s just been swimming in circles,” Nevins said. “He gets stuck under the docks.”
Hollywood police and marine biologists from Nova Southeastern University responded to the scene and worked to guide the shark back to open waters.
“Hopefully, somebody’s coming to get him out,” Nevins said before the rescue.
Zucarro and Meadows said they were relieved to see the shark safely relocated.
”We thought it was a great white at first, but a mako is just as grand,” Zucarro said.