A nearly 12-foot mako shark, nicknamed 'Sharkzilla,' has been observed exhibiting unusually aggressive behavior off the coast of Long Island, New York, prompting scientific investigation and fueling unusual theories about its origins.
The large predator has been linked to significant injuries on other marine animals in the waters near Montauk. These include a 2-foot bite mark on a humpback whale, a 22-inch gash on a grey seal, and attacks on 400-pound tuna, according to a recent "Shark Week" episode.
Marine scientist Craig O’Connell, featured in the Discovery Channel special "Sharkzilla Takes New York," noted the return of large sharks to the region. He also proposed a theory that the shark might have undergone genetic mutation due to decades-old leaking nuclear waste barrels dumped in the Hudson Canyon in the late 1960s. O'Connell cited concerns that such waste could impact wildlife, potentially leading to abnormal growth, increased speed, and enhanced deadliness in apex predators.
O’Connell undertook an effort to tag and collect tissue samples from the shark for radioactive testing. He indicated that the New York coastline has historically been a significant area for large mako sharks, with many past records of large catches in the Montauk area. The current evidence, he suggested, points to a potential resurgence of these large shark populations.
However, subsequent tests found no evidence of radioactivity in the shark. Scientists concluded that the shark was likely a pregnant mako, possessing exceptionally effective hunting skills to sustain herself and her developing pups. The investigation also suggested the area serves as a breeding ground for mako sharks, with formidable female sharks hunting to support their young.