A drone photographer captured footage of a 10-foot great white shark swimming near young swimmers off the coast of Aptos, California. The shark was observed swimming dangerously close to the group, who appeared unaware of its presence.
Carlos Gauna, a wildlife photographer known as the "Malibu Artist," recorded the encounter with his drone. Gauna described the experience as one of the few times he felt uneasy while observing sharks, noting that the children "had no idea." He added that the shark had a significant propeller strike wound on its back and dorsal fin, which he speculated might have influenced its behavior.
"My observations showed the shark to be rather active," Gauna wrote, mentioning that he witnessed it breach twice in one day. He further noted, "Because of the injury, I don't know if it's searching for easier prey or if it's more alert. Either way, this shark does approach humans at a higher frequency. At least by my observations."
The video of the shark encounter prompted numerous reactions online, with many viewers expressing that they would immediately leave the water if they noticed a drone hovering above them. Some commenters suggested that the footage demonstrated that great white sharks often investigate humans without attacking, while others proposed implementing alerts for beachgoers when sharks are spotted nearby, such as warning lights or audible signals.
Shark experts have advised beachgoers to remain vigilant during the summer due to an increase in shark sightings along several U.S. coastlines. Marine biologist Mike Heithaus emphasized that shark bites are unusual, even during peak beach season, and advised people to be aware of local conditions and heed lifeguard instructions. He also recommended avoiding murky waters, areas with visible schools of fish, and locations where people are actively fishing.