A massive mako shark nicknamed “Sharkzilla” has drawn attention off the coast of New York, leading to speculation about whether nuclear waste dumping in the region could have caused the predator to mutate. The shark, measuring nearly 12 feet, gained notoriety for leaving significant wounds on other marine life, including a 400-pound tuna, a seal with a 22-inch injury, and a humpback whale bearing a 24-inch bite mark.
The shark was the focus of a Discovery Channel Shark Week episode titled “Sharkzilla Takes New York.” Shark scientist Craig O’Connell led the effort to track the animal, suggesting that the presence of such a large predator might indicate a return of “monster sharks” to an area where they were previously overfished.
O’Connell raised a controversial theory regarding the Hudson Canyon, where approximately 15,000 barrels of nuclear waste were discarded in the late 1960s. After reports confirmed those barrels were leaking a decade later, O’Connell speculated that exposure to radioactive material could lead to genetic mutations and abnormal growth in local wildlife. He suggested that if the shark were genetically altered, it could be “faster, stronger and deadlier than any predator on Earth.”
The research team successfully located the shark and collected tissue samples for testing. The results found no evidence of radiation. Instead, experts concluded the animal was a pregnant mako shark possessing exceptional hunting capabilities, likely fueled by the need to feed her young in a discovered local breeding ground.
Mako sharks are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and can reach lengths exceeding 13 feet and weights over 1,250 pounds. While their size and hunting success can be intimidating, they primarily inhabit the open ocean and rarely interact with humans. Records show only 10 attacks between 1980 and 2024, with three resulting in fatalities.
