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Officials Confirm Shark Attack Was By Great White

Massachusetts officials have confirmed it was a great white shark that attacked a swimmer off Cape Cod last week.

The state Division of Marine Fisheries announced the official determination Tuesday after speaking with the swimmer, examining his injuries, and working with the curator of the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Officials had said last week the attack likely was by a great white.

Fifty-year-old Christopher Myers of Denver was bitten on his legs July 30 while swimming off Ballston Beach in Truro. He joked about the experience when he was released from a hospital Friday with one leg in a case and the other bandaged.

Great white sightings off the Massachusetts coast have increased in recent years. Experts say it's likely because there are more seals, which the sharks eat.

This program aired on August 7, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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