Latest news with #Dold
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Science
- Newsweek
11ft Great White Shark Just Spotted off Long Island Coast As Summer Nears
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As summer approaches, a juvenile great white shark named Dold has today been detected off the Long Island coastline, marking the latest milestone in a months-long migration that has taken him up the U.S. East Coast. While beachgoers are planning trips to the shore to enjoy the good weather, but many will be thinking about what lurks in the water, and the latest data from trackers at OCEARCH gives an insight to shark behaviors. First tagged by researchers from OCEARCH in February near the Florida–Georgia border, Dold weighs 761 pounds and measures 11 feet 2 inches from tip to tail. His most recent position, recorded in the early hours of June 20, places him off the coast of Long Island, some 80–120 miles offshore—near the Hudson Canyon, a common corridor for migrating sharks. This is Dold's first ping since May 21, when he was detected in the Florida Gap off the coast of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Since being tagged, Dold has covered an estimated 2,875 miles in just under four months, demonstrating the far-reaching seasonal migrations juvenile white sharks undertake in search of prey and suitable water temperatures. OCEARCH, a global nonprofit that tags and tracks marine life for scientific study, monitors sharks like Dold to better understand their behavior, travel patterns, and environmental needs. Their insights also help inform public safety along populated coastlines. A file photo of a great white shark off the coast of False Bay, South Africa. A file photo of a great white shark off the coast of False Bay, South Africa. AlessandroShark Activity off the U.S. Coast As summer heats up and crowds return to U.S. beaches, the movements of sharks like Dold serve as a seasonal reminder of increased shark activity near shorelines. Spring and summer months bring warmer waters, which white sharks favor as they move north for feeding and breeding. Great white sharks are found along both the East and West Coasts of the United States. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF)—which is maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History—the U.S. leads the world in the number of unprovoked shark bites each year. In 2023, the U.S. reported 36 unprovoked shark bites, including two fatalities. Florida had the highest number (16 in 2023), followed by Hawaii, California and New York. Despite this, fatal shark attacks are extremely rare. Between 2013 and 2022 there was an average of just one fatal shark bite per year in the U.S., compared with tens of millions of people entering the water annually. By contrast, Shark Guardian estimates approximately 100 million sharks are killed globally each year, including being intentionally targeted for fishing as well as those caught by bycatch in fishing nets. Other Sharks on the Radar Lower down the Atlantic seaboard, another shark continues to make waves: Contender, currently the largest great white shark tracked by OCEARCH. A huge 1,653 pounds and 13 feet 9 inches, contender has been pinged several times this year, most recently on June 7 in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. Though Dold and Contender are impressive in size and range, the record for the largest great white ever reliably documented remains with Deep Blue—a massive female shark estimated at 20 to 21 feet long and weighing around 5,000 pounds. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about sharks? Let us know via science@
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sterling teen killed in Ellsworth County crash
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a crash in Ellsworth County that killed Lyons High School senior Nathaniel 'Nate' Dold. It happened around 7 p.m. Thursday on Kansas Highway 156 about 3 miles northeast of Ellsworth. The KHP said the 18-year-old was driving a Chrysler 200 eastbound on K-156 when it crossed the center line and struck a semi head-on. Dold, of Sterling, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 58-year-old driver of the semi was taken to Ellsworth County Hospital with minor injuries. Dold was scheduled to graduate this Sunday. The school superintendent said counselors are at the school to help students and staff cope with the news. Lyons USD 405 is saddened by the death of Lyons High School Senior Nate Dold, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident Thursday evening. Notification of funeral arrangements and other information will be announced when available. Counselors will be available at Lyons High School for students and staff on Friday. Your thoughts and prayers for the family and friends are appreciated.' Bill Day, Lyons USD 405 superintendent For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Massive great white shark pings off Florida Gulf Coast
Video above: Large male white shark spotted off the east coast of Florida TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A massive great white shark appears to be meandering along Florida's shoreline. According to tracking data from OCEARCH, a site that charts sharks as they move around the globe, the 11-foot, 761-pound 'Dold' was pinged off Florida's Gulf Coast on Monday. Florida law enforcement shut down 'international child pornography ring,' AG says Dold was spotted off the coast of Vero Beach about a month ago and appears to have made its way around to the other side of the peninsula. Researchers began tracking the sub-adult white shark on Feb. 28, when it was about 45 miles offshore of the Florida-Georgia state line. The shark was named Dold after Dr. Christopher Dold, the Chief Zoological Officer of SeaWorld, who OCEARCH called 'a key figure in ocean conservation.' Dold (the shark) is part of the OCEARCH Western North Atlantic White Shark Study. 'By tracking Dold, we'll gain deeper insights into white shark migration, health, and their role in maintaining ocean balance,' researchers wrote. Great white sharks can grow up to 21 feet and 4,500 pounds, according to NOAA. They can live to be over 70 years old. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Massive shark headed down Florida coast ahead of busy travel season
As college students flock to Florida's sandy beaches, researchers are tracking a record-breaking apex predator also heading south for the holiday. Contender, a 1,653-pound male great white shark measuring 13 feet, 9 inches, is being tracked off the coast of Florida, according to OCEARCH. As of Thursday morning, Contender was pinged just a few miles from Sebastian and is continuing south. "Contender is a significant addition to ongoing research efforts in the western North Atlantic to understand the reproductive cycle and timing of breeding in adult white sharks, particularly in the overwintering period," Dr. Harley Newton, OCEARCH chief scientist and veterinarian, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. American Tourists Felt 'Nudge' Before Shark Attack At Popular Bahamas Resort Researchers believe Contender, dubbed "the ultimate ocean warrior," is the largest shark to be tracked by the organization, after he was tagged as he passed the Florida-Georgia border in January. The group is tracking Contender's movements while also obtaining biological samples for analysis. "The SPOT tag deployed on Contender will provide valuable real-time data for approximately five years, helping us track his movements and understand his migration patterns," OCEARCH said. Read On The Fox News App While Contender is nearly 14 feet long, great white sharks can grow to lengths of 21 feet and weigh as much as 4,500 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Scientists are also keeping their eyes on an additional great white as it makes its way down the coastline. Dold, an 11-foot, 761-pound shark, was last seen heading south through Hobe Sound, approximately 100 miles ahead of Contender. "Dold is named in honor of Dr. Christopher Dold of SeaWorld, a key figure in ocean conservation," OCEARCH said in a statement. "Dr. Dold influenced the OCEARCH collaborative science model, helping connect experts together to drive shark research forward." Terrifying Video Gives Inside Look At What It Would Be Like To Be Eaten By A Shark If the predators continue their current paths, Contender and Dold will soon pass by Fort Lauderdale and Miami before rounding off the southernmost point of the Sunshine State — though their tracks are not guaranteed. "The data we get from the tags gives us insight into the movement and behavior of these animals," Taylor Chapple, assistant professor and founder of the Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University, told Fox News Digital. "This is important for us to understand their role in the oceans — similar to how we track lions on the Serengeti to understand how they control wildebeest populations. They can also help us identify critical places in their lives, like key feeding areas or nurseries where babies grow up." Great white sharks are typically tagged by researchers using a dart to attach the trackers while the animal is free-swimming around the boat, according to Chapple. While the tags are completely safe for the sharks, they can also provide vital information to scientists. "Tags even provide depth, temperature and acceleration data — which can reveal details about hunting behavior, diving habits and energy use," Forrest Galante, a Discovery Channel "Shark Week" host and wildlife biologist, told Fox News Digital. American Tourists Attacked By Shark At Luxe Bahamas Resort Area As the massive marine animals close in on Florida's spring break destinations, experts stress that shark attacks are tracking much lower than average across the world. Last year, there were only 47 reports of unprovoked shark bites and seven confirmed fatalities worldwide, according to data released by the Florida Museum of Natural History. Out of 28 bites reported within the U.S. in 2024, only one was fatal. "If you've ever been in the ocean, a shark has likely encountered you — you just didn't know it," Chapple told Fox News Digital. "If sharks wanted to eat people, there would be a whole lot less surfers in the water. We're just not on their menu." While thousands of college students are expected to hit the sands along Florida's coastline in the coming weeks to celebrate spring break, Contender and Dold are not expected to put a damper on their plans as both sharks have stayed roughly 40 miles from the beaches. To keep safe, researchers suggest swimmers should avoid wearing shiny jewelry, refrain from swimming at dawn or dusk and avoid areas where fishermen are present. "Shark encounters are incredibly rare," Chapple said. "You're much more likely to die from a falling coconut or taking a selfie than a shark attack on your tropical vacation."Original article source: Massive shark headed down Florida coast ahead of busy travel season
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Massive great white shark among several being tracked off Florida coast as spring break begins
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A non-profit organization focused on monitoring and conserving marine life is tracking several large sharks off the coast of Florida, providing valuable insights into the movements of these giant predators. OCEARCH reports that several of the sharks are great whites but remain well offshore around the Gulf Stream, off the Southeast coastline. Among the sharks being tracked are "Contender," a massive great white shark tagged earlier this year, along with "Dold" and "Danny." Generally, these marine animals stay dozens of miles off the coastline, where they search for prey during the winter months. Dold and Danny recently pinged just 18 miles apart along the edge of the Gulf Stream, east of Central Florida. "Dold and Danny, both male white sharks on the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker, last pinged just 18 miles apart, positioned along the inside edge of the Gulf Stream. With Dold about 25 miles offshore and Danny 39 miles out, both are right in the heart of what we identify as the core overwintering zone for Northwest Atlantic white sharks," an OCEARCH scientist recently stated. Largest Shark Ever Tagged By Research Group Swimming Off The Florida Coast The organization utilizes transmitter technology to monitor the sharks' movements, providing real-time updates on their locations. Contender is the largest shark tracked by the group, measuring 14 feet long and weighing more than 1,600 pounds. During the spring and summer months, the sharks typically stay far offshore, well beyond the areas frequented by beachgoers. Marine experts note that these sharks often migrate farther out to sea before heading northward to the waters off of the Northeast and Canada, where they feed on seals. The tracking system relies on pings sent by the transmitters when a shark surfaces. OCEARCH said it is able to triangulate a location when a shark surfaces for at least 90 seconds. Depending on how frequently the shark surfaces, the battery in the tracking device can last up to five years. Surfer Presumed Dead After Shark Attack Off Australian Coast Since the project began, nearly 400 sharks have been tagged, the majority of which are great whites or tiger sharks, which stay well offshore. According to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File, there were 14 unprovoked shark attacks along Florida beaches in 2024. Shark encounters in the U.S. are typically non-lethal, and most incidents involve smaller sharks, such as blacktips and bull sharks, which confuse humans for prey. Track the giant fish on OCEARCH's shark tracker at article source: Massive great white shark among several being tracked off Florida coast as spring break begins
