A new study has linked the rise in shark attacks to social media influencers encouraging tourists to touch and stroke the animals. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Conservation, analysed shark encounters in French Polynesia and a global database of incidents dating back to the 1800s.
Of the 74 recorded bites in French Polynesia, five per cent were defensive, occurring immediately after a human interaction perceived by the shark as threatening. Globally, more than 300 incidents fit the same pattern, according to the study led by Professor Eric Clua of PSL University in France.
Professor Clua criticised influencers who promote close contact with sharks, saying they blur the line between harmless and dangerous species. "People know the difference between a Yorkshire terrier and a pit bull, whereas they don't know the difference between a blacktip reef shark and a bull shark," he told The Times.
Celebrities such as Zac Efron, Ciara and Bella Thorne have posted clips of themselves touching sharks, while footage of divers handling tiger sharks has gone viral. Influencers like Taylor Cunningham and conservationist Ocean Ramsay also share such content, with Ramsay saying "we love to share rare moments of physical connection".
Professor Clua advised anyone encountering a shark to "just look at it. Enjoy its beauty, but remember they are wild animals, predators that can act as predators. It is not only a matter of safety but also of respect."
