Shark Attack Survivor Loses Leg But Wins Right To Keep Shark's Tooth

It seems a fair swap, a tooth for a leg. That's the thinking of Australian surfer and shark attack survivor, Chris Blowes.

In 2015 he was attacked on his surfboard by a Great White Shark, an encounter which saw his heart stop and left him in a coma for 10 days, a tooth of the shark left embedded in his board.

Normally, under South Australia's Fisheries Management Act, it is illegal to possess, sell or purchase any part of white sharks - and anyone breaking that law can face a fine of up to A$100,000 (£55,000) or two years in prison.

Medics airlift Chris Blowes to Adelaide after he was bitten by shark at Fishery Bay near Port Lincoln.

Chris Blowes recovering from the near fatal shark attack

However, a local politician got involved to help the tooth get back to Chris, who is now going to keep it in a glass box and use it for motivational talks. It's the first time the state has granted an exemption to the act.

Chris said: "It was stuck in my board, I would never kill a shark for its tooth but it took my leg [so] I can't see any reason why I can't have that.

"The shark isn't getting its tooth back [and] I'm not getting my leg back. It's a good souvenir to show my grandchildren."

Although shark encounters and attacks are down this last year, they still continue to make the headlines. Here's the latest figures International Shark Attack File 2020 Shows Encounters Down But Fatalities Up

Still worried about sharks? Here's some helpful tips on how you can keep shark safe in the water: How To Stay Shark Safe

Images via Chris Blowes. Words by Dean Newman

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