A kayaker was pulled from the water by a passing fisherman after being bitten twice by a shark off Paradise Cove in Malibu early Sunday morning.
The attack occurred around 8:30 a.m. Near the popular beachside cafe, according to Traffic News Los Angeles. The victim, who had been fishing from his kayak, suffered at least two bites to the lower portion of his body.
Preliminary reports described the shark as a possible mako. After the initial bite knocked the man into the water, the animal allegedly circled back and attacked him a second time.
A nearby fisherman witnessed the attack and immediately went to the victim’s aid, pulling him from the water and onto his boat. The injured man then called his girlfriend, a retired lifeguard, who contacted 911.
Los Angeles County lifeguards responded to the scene and helped get the victim safely back to shore. He was then transported by ambulance for treatment of his injuries.
Dramatic video from the scene shows a lifeguard rushing through the water during the rescue. The footage appears to show calm conditions off the Malibu coastline, with a small boat nearby as the rescue unfolds. At one point, a man can be seen swimming toward the boat, although it remains unclear whether he is the kayaker who was attacked. The video does not appear to clearly show the shark itself, and there are no obvious signs in the footage that would independently confirm the reported attack.
Officials have not yet publicly confirmed the shark species or provided additional details about the victim’s injuries. The circumstances surrounding the encounter remain under investigation.
The incident comes as lifeguards and beachgoers remain on alert for marine wildlife encounters along the Southern California coast. Sharks can venture into shallow coastal waters for several reasons, most commonly in search of food. Warmer water, concentrations of baitfish and changing tides can bring prey closer to shore, drawing sharks with them.
In Southern California, sharks can be found relatively close to the coastline throughout the year, with activity often increasing during the warmer months. Some species also use shallow coastal areas as nursery habitat, particularly when juvenile sharks are present. Shark activity can also increase around dawn and dusk, when lower light levels and movements of prey can create favorable feeding conditions.