STANIEL CAY, Bahamas – A 12-year-old boy was injured on Tuesday when he was bitten by a shark while swimming in the Bahamas.
The boy's mother told the Royal Bahamas Police Force that they were on a tour of the Exuma Cays, and the boy was swimming with his brother when the shark attacked him.
He was taken to New Providence by boat for medical treatment. Police said the boy's injuries were being treated and he was stable.
The boy wasn't identified and the severity of his injuries wasn't given. No other information was available about the shark attack.
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According to the International Shark Attack File put together by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the American Elasmobranch Society, the Bahama Islands are listed as the ninth-highest place in the world for unprovoked shark attacks.
"A human is more susceptible to being attacked if the shark is cornered and feels that there is no escape route," the Florida Museum of Natural History said. "In situations like these, the shark may rake the victim during the attack, resulting in lacerations."
The Exuma Islands are well-known for swimming, snorkeling and boating, with their bright blue waters.
Staniel Cay is known for its thriving marine ecosystems and is accessible by boat or air.
In the Caribbean Sea, tiger, hammerhead and smooth dogfish sharks are frequently seen, especially during the summer.
The Caribbean reef shark, for example, frequently swims nearshore waters, especially during the summer.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force didn't specify what type of shark attacked the boy, but dozens of shark species are found in the Caribbean.
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