Great White Shark (symbol image)
Photo: DPA / Randy Wilder / Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation
A man in Australia allegedly stole a great white shark tracking device, causing a series of shark false alarms.
The police in the city of Albany accused the 48-year-old of stealing an "acoustic surveillance badge".
These items are used for watching great white sharks off the coast.
Animals wearing such a tracking device trigger an alarm if they swim within range of certain receiver devices.
34 such receivers are installed on the coast of the state of West Australia in order to warn citizens of the impending danger in good time.
As reported by several media outlets, including "The West Australian" and the "Guardian", the man removed the tracking device when the animal accidentally went into his net while fishing.
He is said to have let the shark back into the water alive.
The 48-year-old then triggered false alarms seven times between August 13 and September 4.
The accused has to answer in court on November 4th.
bbr / AFP