PORT ANGELES — A tagged great white shark has reappeared off the Washington coast near La Push, according to marine researchers tracking its movements across the Pacific.
The 16-foot shark, named Kara, had last been detected April 2 off Northern California before going silent for nearly a month. Her satellite tag has now pinged again off the Olympic Peninsula—an area where great white sharks are rarely recorded.
Kara was tagged last year by researchers with the Marine Conservation Science Institute and has since been tracked along the West Coast and as far as Hawaii. Scientists say her movements likely follow prey such as seals and sea lions.
There have been no confirmed visual sightings of the shark from boats or shore, only electronic tracking data.
Experts say it’s not unusual for great whites to occasionally range into Washington waters, though they more commonly remain farther south.
It’s not yet clear how long Kara will remain in the area before continuing her migration