Shark bites 12-year-old feeding stingrays at zoo’s touch tank in NJ, official says
A shark bit a 12-year-old girl while she was feeding stingrays swimming around a zoo’s 1,600-gallon touch tank in New Jersey, an official said.
The shark bite was small, and only her finger was injured at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. said in a statement provided to McClatchy News. The incident occurred on Saturday, April 9, and was first reported by RLS Media.
“Staff responded quickly and provided the girl with a band-aid and antibacterial cream,” DiVincenzo said.
“When EMS arrived, the cut was covered by the band-aid, bleeding had stopped and the family declined care from the technicians.”
It wasn’t specified what kind of shark bit the child, but DiVincenzo said epaulette sharks also swim inside the tank alongside the stingrays.
Epaulette sharks are small and can be identified by the many spots scattered along their narrow bodies, according to the Aquarium of the Pacific. They’re native to the coasts of New Guinea and Australia, and their “teeth are small, with broad bases.”
Turtle Back Zoo gave the girl’s family free passes for another visit as a result of the shark bite, DiVincenzo said.
“We pride ourselves on providing our visitors with an educational and fun experience and all efforts are made to keep our visitors and animals safe.”
Feeding the touch tank’s marine animals costs $3, according to the zoo’s website.
McClatchy News contacted the zoo for further comment on April 11 and was awaiting a response.
East Orange is roughly 60 miles northeast of Trenton.
This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Shark bites 12-year-old feeding stingrays at zoo’s touch tank in NJ, official says."
.jpg)