Vicious eight-foot tiger shark kills a snorkeller and threatens Caribbean islanders

Residents of SAN ANDRES have vowed to kill an eight-foot tiger shark that murdered a snorkeler “before it kills them.”

The frantic residents of the little Colombian island have gone out to sea in search of the vicious shark.

Last week, the creature killed Italian Antonio Straccialini, 56, as he was swimming off the shore of the Caribbean Sea island of San Andres.

Because of the mauling, he lost a lot of blood and went into hypovolemic shock before dying.

The shark is still alive and swimming in the sea, which is frequented by many locals.

Despite animal welfare organizations’ and local officials’ warnings, some islanders have decided to hunt and kill the shark.

It is illegal to hunt tiger sharks as they are an endangered species.

But some islanders say they are willing to suffer the legal consequences, which include fines of up to $916,500 and between 48 and 108 months in prison.

Antonio Straccialini was killed in the savage attack (Image: Facebook)

Animal welfare groups have reported that despite the ban on hunting, many locals have been caught in the act of attempting to kill the shark.

One prominent animal welfare group denounced a video taken from the sea which shows a navy ship approaching a group of local hunters.

It was the first recorded shark attack on the island (Image: Getty)

The navy is heard informing the group that the “waters in which the species they are trying to hunt is protected.”

In response, the locals screamed: “The shark is going to kill us.”

El Pais reports that the surge in hunting has already led to a nurse shark being brutally killed in the waters around the island, despite being a different species.

The shocking incident is the first recorded shark attack on the Caribbean island – typically known for its idyllic beaches and beautiful vistas.

This article by Rosie Jempson was first published by The Express on 25 March 2022. Lead Image: Residents vow to kill the shark (Image: Getty).

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