Shark attacks in the rivers of southern Iran

Synopsis The literature on shark attacks in freshwaters of southern Iran is reviewed and 11 attacks with 3 fatalities recorded from local informants for the period 1953 to 1985. The species of shark responsible is probably the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, whose presence in the Tigris River is confirmed by preserved specimens in the British Museum (Natural History). The Iranian records represent a significant proportion (28%) of the documented cases world-wide for unprovoked, freshwater attacks.