News Summary
An adult dusky shark named Mira has been spotted off the coast of Beaufort County, highlighting the species’ endangered status. Measuring nearly 10 feet and weighing over 300 pounds, Mira was tagged in Florida and is being tracked by marine biologists. Meanwhile, the community is on alert after 43 primates escaped from a nearby research facility, and concerns grow following a shark bite incident near Hilton Head Island. These events underline the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and public safety in the area.
Beaufort County, South Carolina – An adult dusky shark, known as Mira, has been observed off the coast of Beaufort County, raising awareness about the species’ precarious conservation status. The shark, which measures nearly 10 feet in length and weighs over 300 pounds, was initially tagged on May 15 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then, Mira has made steady progress northward, pinging off the coast of St. Helena Island last Friday morning, just north of Hilton Head Island.
The dusky shark is classified as globally endangered and is considered vulnerable specifically in the North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions. Since 1999, the species has been federally protected in the United States due to concerns about its declining population. With ongoing studies and tracking efforts, marine biologists aim to better understand their migratory patterns and habitats to improve conservation strategies.
Recently, in Yemassee, South Carolina, residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows locked following the escape of 43 primates from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center. The Rhesus Macaque monkeys fled the facility on Wednesday afternoon, prompting local authorities to utilize thermal imaging cameras for locating the escaped animals. As traps are set near the research center, the police reassured the community that there is no health risk associated with the escaped primates.
In a separate encounter with marine life, Captain Richard Pollitzer of Tallboy Fishing Charters recently caught a rare goliath grouper during a fishing expedition in Port Royal Sound. The impressive fish measured 7 feet 6 inches long and weighed between 400 and 500 pounds. Goliath groupers are not commonly found in this area due to a history of overfishing leading to a significant decline in their population since the 1980s. Although previously considered for endangered species status, these fish are primarily located in shallow tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys today. After ensuring the grouper’s health, Pollitzer released the fish back into the water.
The local community is also on alert regarding shark activity after a recent incident where a 60-year-old man was bitten off Hilton Head Island. The man was attacked in shallow waters of 2 to 3 feet off Sea Pines Beach and was treated at Hilton Head Hospital. This marks the second shark attack in the area within the past two years, with previous incidents involving lifeguards as victims. Despite this, experts note that the likelihood of fatal shark attacks remains low, particularly when compared to other everyday risks such as lightning strikes.
As the presence of endangered species like the dusky shark and ongoing wildlife management issues continue to shape the coastal community’s landscape, authorities remain focused on preserving local ecosystems while ensuring public safety. The tracking of Mira, the dusky shark, serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between conservation efforts and human activities along the South Carolina coastline. Meanwhile, the unusual escape of primates adds another layer of complexity for local law enforcement as they continue to monitor the situation.
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Additional Resources
- WJCL: Dusky Shark in Beaufort County
- Wikipedia: Dusky Shark
- ABC7: Primates Escape in South Carolina
- Google Search: Primates Escape South Carolina
- The State: Shark and Goliath Grouper News
- Google Scholar: Goliath Grouper
- Live Science: Shark Bites Man in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shark
- Newsweek: Goliath Grouper Caught
- Google News: Goliath Grouper
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
