Swan River shark attack a rare event, but experts say bull sharks exist in most of our rivers

It’s been 50 years since the last shark attack in Perth’s river system, but yesterday a man in his 50s was bitten by a bull shark, suffering critical injuries.

But bull sharks are actually incredibly common in waterways across the country.

Are bull sharks in most rivers?

Essentially, yes.

While we’ve all come to accept that sharks are common at beaches and in coastal waters around the country, bull sharks can be found in most rivers around Australia, according to marine ecologist Johan Gustafson from Griffith University.

“Except the southern end where it’s a bit too cold,” Dr Gustafson says.

“It’ll be the same from Perth all the way over to Sydney“.

Dr Gustafson…