344 Shark and Company 



How many rivers this shark ascends is not definitely known, but its 

 range encompasses the Indian Ocean, and it has been reported in Japan. 

 Any river that empties into the seas prowled by the Ganges shark could 

 be a likely avenue for a lethal foray. 



Another large shark whose predilection for rivers is recognized in 

 its name is the River shark (Carcharimis zambezensis) of South Africa, 

 which has been caught 120 miles up the Zambezi River. This shark, 

 which grows to at least 8 feet, has an ugly reputation not only in the 

 river that gives it its name, but also in many other rivers along the south 

 and the east coasts of Africa. The 1961 Shark Research Panel Report in- 

 cludes mention of an attack 150 miles up the Limpopo (Crocodile) River 

 in Mozambique. The African River shark does not live exclusively in 

 fresh water. It is also found— and feared— in the seas along the coasts. 



Sharks, sawfish, and rays have been found in several Australian rivers, 

 but there is no evidence of sharks taking up permanent residence there 

 as the Lake Nicaragua shark apparently has done. In New Guinea 

 and Papua, sharks have been caught in several rivers and at least two 

 lakes: Lake Sentani, New Guinea, 250 feet above sea level and linked to 

 the sea by a 40-mile river which is practically unnavigable; and Lake 

 Jamoer, New Guinea, about 200 feet above sea level. The Lake Jamoer 

 sharks have been described as closely related to the Lake Nicaragua 

 sharks, though little is known about the New Guinea species. Nor is it 

 known definitely whether or not these sharks are as vicious as those of 

 Lake Nicaragua. 



But it is known that of sharks which have ventured up rivers else- 

 where in the world, some have been killers . . . 



Bored by the hot, oppressive dullness of an outpost of empire named 

 Ahwaz, Iran, a British soldier with nothing more exciting to do decided 

 to take his ambulance down to the river and wash it. He drove the am- 

 bulance into the Karun River, which flows through Ahwaz, and stopped 

 near shore. He took off his shoes and socks and climbed down into the 

 water, which was about a foot deep. 



As he started to wash the ambulance, which was caked with the dirt 

 of a town 90 miles from salt water, his right ankle was seized with a 

 force that pulled him off balance. Thrashing in rapidly reddening fresh 

 water not as deep as a bathtub, the soldier began fighting for his life 

 against a shark. He lashed out with his fists, but the shark's hide tore his 

 hands and arms, and he was bitten repeatedly. He kicked, but the shark 

 hung onto his leg. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the shark dis- 

 appeared, leaving the soldier lying in the absurdly shallow water. The 

 soldier's right leg was hideously gouged. His right arm was torn open. 

 His left hand and forearm looked as if they had been raked by a sharp 

 fork. 



