Shark Sighted on New Orleans Streets

[jdray]

Sharks routinely swim in fresh water.

St Johns river has sharks inland for many miles. Ive caught small ones (3-4 footers) in Doctor's Lake which is about 35 miles upstream from where the St Johns meets the ocean.

Brackish water (mix of salt and fresh) can sustain salt water marine life pretty easily.

[DCmetroraleigh]

Are alligators very aggressive? I thought they tend to be scared of humans, unlike crocs.

[LSU2001]

The NO zoo came through just fine so far. I read a post from a zoo keeper on WWL weather forum that said that some of the animals had been relocated and the rest were fine. As far as gators, they are normally quite docile however being ran out of their territories and placed in a very stressful situation they can and do become agressive and dangerous. I am sure that there is plenty of wildlife loose in NOLA right now but the bigger problem is going to be disease and contamination. The water is full of sewage, chemicals, oil, gas, diesel, and god knows what else. THey are also reporting locally that as the days pass the dead bodies of both humans and animals will create the potential for terrible disease outbreaks. They are also reporting locally that it may be 6 months before the water can be removed. The pumps are failing and flooding as we speak.
Just some cheerful news from the Great State Of Louisiana

[blueeyes_austin]

THey are also reporting locally that as the days pass the dead bodies of both humans and animals will create the potential for terrible disease outbreaks.

This meme is widespread, and I don't suspect my little posting will do much to stop it. But it turns out that the disease potential from corpses is overrated:

http://slate.msn.com/id/1003473/

The rotting corpses of earthquake victims are a "negligible" threat to public health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A corpse is only a danger to public health if the victim died of an infectious disease. (In that case, the disease organisms can infect living people who come in contact with the cadaver.) But when someone dies of trauma, as most earthquake victims did, the decomposition process is harmless, if disgusting. Bacteria within the body--especially E. coli from the gut--immediately start to consume the flesh. Maggots hatched from eggs laid in the corpse also eat the cadaver, as can wasps, beetles, and other insects. Larger animals such as birds, rats, and dogs pick at unguarded corpses.

The bacteria involved in decomposition are not dangerous, because living people already carry identical germs in their own bodies. The maggots and other insects, though revolting, also constitute no threat to public health. Rats do host fleas, which can transmit typhus, typhoid fever, plague, and other diseases. But rats endanger public health wherever they mingle with people: They are no more harmful when they feed on corpses than at any other time.

[HurricaneGirl]

With all the gasoline and other stuff in the water, the sharks will probably die.

[Jim Cantore]

A big 8 foot Bull sharks starts killing looters that will stop the looting fast

[gpickett00]

Shep Smith interviewed a shark and the shark was just surveying the damage. It turns out that the shark was stealing fish food from the new orleans walmart. No worrys, the shark was later apprehended by police officers.

[ChaserUK]

you have to rememeber that snakes and ants will be looking for dry land - the same as humans!

[mvtrucking]

I hope the sharks take care of the looters cuz no authority seems to be

A 30.06 with a nice scope would do the trick.

[DCmetroraleigh]

Perhaps dead bodies is what attracts alligators and sharks to populated areas.

[HurryKane]

Shep Smith interviewed a shark and the shark was just surveying the damage. It turns out that the shark was stealing fish food from the new orleans walmart. No worrys, the shark was later apprehended by police officers.

Oh my God, that is probably the only true laugh I've had all day. Thanks.

[SouthFloridawx]

Shep Smith interviewed a shark and the shark was just surveying the damage. It turns out that the shark was stealing fish food from the new orleans walmart. No worrys, the shark was later apprehended by police officers.

BTW that was funny.