The pool at one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches has been given over to a great white shark.
Beach-goers were (mostly) delighted to find the toothy fish cracking laps in Manly’s swimming rockpool on Monday after animal rescuers dropped it in for safe-keeping.
Just a #GreatWhite casually swimming around our #Manly pool!!! #SharkSave #CrowdPuller pic.twitter.com/P2I1seDwAL
— Hannah Wood (@hanwood) September 11, 2017
According to a report on the ABC, the shark is about 1.5 meters long and may be suffering from a broken jaw.
Incredible scenes at #Manly pool after an injured shark washed up on shore & rescued @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/BHTbelfVkW
— Samantha Brett (@samanthabrett) September 11, 2017
The baby great white had earlier been washed up on the famous Manly beach, apparently injured, and refused to return to the ocean. One brave bloke was filmed trying to show it the way, gamely dragging it into the surf by the tail.
The most Australian of men, trying to save a beached young (bigger than me) great white. #manly #7NewsSydney #alwayssharkweekhere pic.twitter.com/x2Im7eiYQ5
— Kristin Rogers (@kristinrogers85) September 11, 2017
Rescuers from Manly Sea Life Sanctuary were soon on the scene. They stretchered the shark to the nearby Fairy Bower pool where it took up exclusive residency (ie: the pool was of course subsequently closed) to allow it to recover.
Manly: Photos of the baby great white shark being placed by animal rescuers into the Fairy Bower Pool. Photo Credit: Al Kay. #7News pic.twitter.com/L0ScZT5XGl
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) September 11, 2017
The shark became an instant social media sensation…
When you want to go for a swim but there’s a shark in the pool. #manly #shark pic.twitter.com/t8IRHWBUci
— Ryan James (@ryanjamessydney) September 11, 2017
Shark in #Manly bower pool right now. She just washed up on Manly beach. Beautiful to see such a gorgeous animal pic.twitter.com/T51gVsAZMq
— Alex Martiniuk (@AlexMartiniuk) September 11, 2017