LOCALS in the north Queensland region of Burdekin might have escaped the brunt of Cyclone Debbie. But one was not so lucky.
WIN News Townsville journalist Philip Calder described his shock at finding the “heavy” metre-and-a-half bull shark when he was out reporting in Ayr, a town of Burdekin, covering the local flooding after the devastating cyclone.
The shark was found dead on a road that has been cut off by flooding. A community nearby, Rita Island, has been cut off by the flood waters and Mr Calder was on his way to cover the story when he spotted the shark. “He must’ve gotten caught in a torrent and confused, beached himself on the side of the road,” Mr Calder told news.com.au.
Bull sharks are common in the area, according to Mr Calder, and many of them live in creeks and rivers close by to nearby communities.
The Burdekin River, located in North and Far North Queensland, is known to house bull sharks, turtles and barracudas.
Some social-media users are drawing a connection between the shark and Syfy’s “Sharknado” film series, which features sharks getting swept up in cyclones and wreaking havoc on cities.
Cyclone Debbie knocked out power to thousands when it slammed ashore with winds up to 260 kilometers (160 miles) an hour Tuesday.