Australia goes on the hunt for the shark that killed and ate a swimmer in Sydney

The Sydney authorities (Australia) deployed several traps on Thursday to try to catch the great white shark that devoured a bather in the first such attack in decades on a beach in this Australian city.

In addition to mobilizing drones to survey the ocean from the air, authorities set six traps to try to catch the predator, which is estimated to be three meters long.

Police have yet to identify his victim, who was attacked on Wednesday before the helpless gaze of fishermen and golfers playing in courses near the coast.

A rescue helicopter and four ambulances were dispatched, but the victim died from “catastrophic injuries”, emergency services said.

It was the first deadly shark attack in Sydney since 1963.

“Based on images provided by the population … shark biologists believe that the culprit was probably a great white shark, at least three meters long,” the state department of primary industries said.

This department announced the deployment of “six intelligent traps”, which in theory trap the animal and move it out to sea. However, its use is controversial because some animals died before being released.

The attack has shaken the population of eastern Sydney, where water activities are an essential part of everyday life despite the regular presence of whales, rays or sharks.

Up to 13 beaches in the area were closed this Thursday and an ocean swimming competition with 800 participants was postponed.

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