Chilling photos capture the presence of great white sharks in what scientists describe as a feeding ground alarmingly close to the multimillion-dollar homes of A-list celebrities.
These images reveal top predators patrolling just offshore, in full view of children playing and surfers riding the waves.
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Some places around the world are notorious shark hotspots, where swimming is considered extremely risky.
However, there is a lesser-known area in California, near Montecito and Santa Barbara, approximately 100 miles north of Los Angeles, where great white sharks frequently patrol just beyond the surf line.
This area is home to many A-list celebrities who own multi-million dollar properties.
A-list celebrities include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Kevin Coster, Kourtney Kardashian Barker and her husband Travis.
Some others include Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia De Rossi, Star Wars creator George Lucas, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.
Scientists believe that great white sharks congregate in this area to feed and possibly use it as a nursery for their young.
Male great whites can grow up to 16 feet and weigh up to 1,700 pounds, while females can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and weigh 2,450 pounds.
KEEP SHARKS SAFE
Dr. Chris Lowe, a shark expert and professor of marine biology at California State University, has been researching this area for seven years.
Although they have not been confirmed as a birthplace, it is considered a nursery, with the shark population increasing over the last 15 years.
The reason for this prolonged hotbed is unclear; it may be due to food availability or human disturbance.
“We have been researching this area for seven years and have tagged at least 80 sharks there. We have no evidence that it is a birthing place, but it is a nursery,” Lowe said.
“Now we’re trying to figure out what makes it a good nursery site, what we call an aggregation site.”
“We have seen the shark population increase here over the last 15 years. But its use as a nursery is a more recent phenomenon.
“Normally, sharks change their nurseries.”
Dr. Lowe emphasizes the importance of respecting sharks and their environment to avoid any potential conflicts.
We are very protective of them, but we want the public to understand what is happening in the area and to be respectful. There have been no deaths there and if the sharks are not disturbed there will be no problems.
Dr. Chris Lowe, shark expert and professor of marine biology at California State University
Despite the presence of Great Whites, there have been no attacks or deaths in the area, but caution is advised, especially during the summer and fall when juvenile Great Whites are present.
“Usually there is a hotspot for a few years and then they move on, but this one seems to be long-lasting. We don’t know why this happens; It could be that they have eaten all the food or are being harassed by other people,” Dr. Lowe continued.
“We are very protective of them, but we want the public to understand what is happening in the area and to be respectful.
“There have been no deaths there and if the sharks are not disturbed there will be no problems.
“There have been no attacks or deaths there and we want to keep it that way. People should always assume that in the summer and fall there will be junior great whites there.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
