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Worst Places for Animal Attacks

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Great White Shark, South Africa

Mike Parry/Minden Pictures

New South Wales, Australia: Great White Sharks

Volusia County, FL, may be the world’s shark-bite capital, with 231 reported attacks (none fatal) since 1882, but New South Wales, Australia, is home to the most severe shark attacks: 148 were recorded from 1876 to 2008—12 from great whites and 9 resulting in death. Most fatal attacks happen to surfers and swimmers who swim alone or veer too far from the group.

Survival Tip: Never swim alone. If you’re attacked, a hard blow to the eyes or gills—not the nose—may send the shark away.

Safe Spotting: Cape Town, South Africa’s White Shark Ecoventures is the longest established operator in the field, offering everything from breaching (jumping out of the water) tours to cage dives with first aid–certified crews.



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