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By: Sarah Sharkey
A swimmer in San Francisco Bay recently got bitten by a sea lion. Yes, not a shark, a sea lion.
The 56-year-old man was picked up by a rented sailboat, the Grey Goose. After bringing the man aboard, the captain called the police who instructed that the man is brought to shore. The man was bitten on the upper right arm and was bleeding uncontrollably according to SFPD Marine Unit Officer Matthew Reiter. Upon reaching land, the police applied a tourniquet and the man was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he swiftly recovered to good condition.
People swim in San Francisco Bay regularly. In fact, there are clubs such as the Dolphin Club with members that have been swimming in the bay for over 20 years but have never heard of this happening. George Howell, a longtime member of the Dolphin Club (a swimming club) said, “People have been nibbled over the years here and there. No one’s ever been seriously hurt. If they really sunk their teeth in, they could pretty much leave with your feet. I’ve never heard of anybody going to the hospital or getting stitches.”
Luckily, the injured swimmer was able to flag down the Grey Goose or the situation could have been much worse. The attack may have been due to the fact that it is currently mating season and traditionally males will be more aggressive during that period.
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