Shark or Sea Lion? WSL Event Paused After Attack in New Zealand

The finals of the World Surf League's New Zealand Pro took a terrifying turn this Monday when a 'code red' was triggered following a mysterious animal attack. Australian photographer Ed Sloane was in the water at Raglan on the North Island when a sea creature, believed to be either a shark or a sea lion, bit him during the men’s semi-finals.

The incident occurred while Brazilian surfing stars Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira were competing for a spot in the final. Both surfers were reportedly shaken by the event after witnessing a splash and the subsequent struggle in the water. The competition was immediately halted as water patrol teams rushed to extract the photographer and the athletes from the surf using jet skis.

Renato Hickel, the World Surf League vice-president of tours and competition, confirmed that Sloane sustained puncture wounds to his left foot. Despite the scare, the photographer remained in good spirits and was treated by on-site medical staff before being transported to a local hospital by ambulance. While the exact species of the creature remains unconfirmed, medical professionals on the scene suggested the bite marks were more consistent with a sea lion than a shark.

After a delay of several hours and the implementation of heightened safety protocols, the event eventually got back underway. New measures included a drone spotter and extra jet skis to monitor the area for any further wildlife activity. Sloane later released a statement thanking the medical team for their swift action and expressed his eagerness to see the competition reach its epic conclusion, proving his passion for the sport remains undiminished by the encounter.

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