Zihuatanejo, Mexico is the latest spot that's earned a place on our Killer Beaches Map, after yet another shark attack this month. The latest cost an American surfer his thumb, but he was lucky to escape with his life: Two other surfers, one from Mexico and one from the States, were both fatally attacked in the same area earlier this year.

Environmental experts don't have an explanation for the growing shark problem, as Zihuatanejo hasn't traditionally been known for attacks. One government official says climate change may be the culprit while another says atypical ocean currents bringing giant squid to the area may be a factor.

While the beaches in Zihuatanejo haven't been closed, people are being warned against getting in the water. If you're hoping to wait out the trouble, we'd suggest doing it at one of these nice hotels.

Related Stories:
· Shark Bites US Surfer off Mexico Coast [AP, via Google]
· Zihuatanejo Hotel Guide [HC]
· Killer Beaches 2008 Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: Kevin Briody]]]> pbb 2008-05-27T12:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/13/11547/8354

We love Australia. It's gotta be the only country in the world where a swimmer who gets attacked by a shark laughs off the experience from his hospital bed.

After the 16-foot animal--believed to be a great white--bit swimmer Jason Cull on Saturday, he calmly tried to work himself out of trouble:

It banged straight into me ... I sort of punched it, and it grabbed me by the leg and dragged me under the water. I just remember being dragged backwards underwater. I felt along it, I found its eye and I poked it in the eye, and that's when it let go.

Ah, the old poke-it-in-the-eye trick: Works every time!

As for Middleton Beach, it was closed after the attack, and a couple more sharks were reported in the wake of Cull's encounter. Sounds like a good candidate for our Killer Beaches Map.

Related Stories:
· Australian Pokes Shark in Eye to Survive [AP, via Google]
· Sharks coverage [Jaunted]

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Al Gore never warned us about this: The scary rise in shark attacks--there have already been four fatal ones this year, compared to 1 in all of 2007--is due to global warming, scientists say.

It's not that the sharks get ornery when they have to put the A/C on. But as temperatures rise, more people head to the water, and thus put themselves at risk of being attacked by a shark. Dr. George Burgess of the University of Florida tells the Guardian:

As long as we have an increase in human hours in the water, we will have an increase in shark bites.

Other pressures on sharks include overfishing (which drives the predators to seek prey outside their normal hunting areas) and seal overpopulation.

Find out if your favorite beach is about to become the next "Jaws" movie with our Killer Beaches 2008 map.

Related Stories:
· Surge in Fatal Shark Attacks Blamed on Global Warming [Guardian]
· Killer Beaches 2008 coverage [Jaunted]

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Have your summer beach trip all lined up? Hope you're not headed to one of this year's Killer Beaches, where for one reason or another, you're in danger the second you set foot on the sand.

From shark attacks to rip currents, the beaches that follow aren't necessarily deadly--but they can be. We've mapped 'em out so if you're still planning your getaway, you'll know which spots to avoid.

Careful out there this summer!]]> pbb 2008-04-29T09:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/4/28/11634/5686

After a fatal shark attack on Friday, about 17 miles of Southern California beaches are reopening today. Lifeguards from Torrey Pines to Carlsbad tried to keep swimmers and surfers out of the water this weekend after what officials presume to be a great white killed 66-year-old David Martin in Fletcher Cove.

Though the beach closures led to some empty strands, a few people ventured into the water anyway. One paddleboarder explained:

It's like going to see "Jaws"--getting in the water the next day, all you could think about was the music. But if you're afraid of the ocean, you shouldn't be in it.

David Martin's son, too, said the attack wouldn't keep him from surfing. And though a weekend surfing event was canceled in Encinitas, you can bet that lots more people will be itching to get back to the beach today.

Related Stories:
· Relatives Remember Shark Attack Victim [SD Union-Tribune]
· Paddleborders Venture out after Fatal Attack [AP, via Google]
· City of Solana Beach: Beaches [Official Site]
· Google Maps/Where Is... coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-04-28T12:00:01-05:00 32.991345 -117.27301 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/