Carbrook Golf Club is a unique place in the world. In addition to playing golf on an impressive terrain, its visitors have enjoyed an exceptional attraction for two decades: one of the lakes on the circuit was inhabited by lamia sharks. Devastating floods washed away six young specimens from a nearby river that overflowed its banks. And there they stayed for a long time, until another overflow of the river returned them to the place from which they came.
As strange as it may seem, these predators settled in the lake for a long period of time, which also offered a lesson in marine biology: this species can live in environments with low saltwater content indefinitely.
This unique story began in 1996, when flooding in the area swept six bull sharks into the lake near the 14th hole. Once the waters receded, the sharks found themselves surrounded by hills and golfers, making it difficult to get out.
Thanks to the lake's fauna and the food provided by the club staff, the sharks ended up spending 17 years in it. Unfortunately, one of them was captured illegally, and the rest disappeared after another episode marked by heavy flooding.
This coincidental phenomenon demonstrates what many scientists saw coming: lamia sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) can live indefinitely in low-salinity aquatic environments and that makes it possible for them to be found in freshwater and brackish water habitats.
Although the idea of living with sharks may seem terrifying to many, the truth is that the golfers at Carbrook Golf Club loved them: "Every member here loved the sharks," says Scott Wagstaff, club manager. Likewise, it is recommended not to bathe in waters close to floods so as not to get a bad experience, since you never know what you may find.
