Years back, a river broke its banks and flooded the Carabrook Golf Club in Queensland, Australia. Several man-eating bull sharks -- which thrive on fresh and salt water -- washed into the course during the flood and, when the water receded, became stranded at the waterside 14th tee.
Now at least six of these creatures are calling this home, thriving and even breeding. "You can't believe how close you are … just six feet away," club general manager Scott Wagstaff told Sky News.
"There's no drama. It's become a positive thing for the golf course. They are amazing. I've become a shark lover since working here."
In fact, just as many tourists come to see the sharks' dorsal fins slice through the water as do golfers looking for a day on the course. There was a time when local children would jump into the lake to retrieve golf balls for resale. Needless to say, those days have passed.
The bull shark is known for its ability to thrive in both salt- and freshwater. They have been known to travel up rivers and take up residence in many lakes such as Lake Nicaragua. Bull sharks have been encountered in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
There are believed to be more than 500 bull sharks in the Brisbane River with reports of the sharks swimming up a flooded street at times. The golf course sharks have apparently not chomped on a human but at sea it is a different story.
"I'm sure they are aggressive when you are in the water," he said, "but when you are out here feeding them, they are beautiful to watch."
