Imagine sitting by the beach on holiday. Suddenly, you spot something red and fleshy washing up on the golden shore. When you look closer, you realise it is a human leg.

That is what happened on a beach in Australia last week, when a surfer named Kai McKenzie was attacked by a shark. Kai floated back to the shore and was rushed to hospital. When his leg washed up a few hours later, it was transported to the same hospital.

Last year, the number of people killed by sharks doubled - with 40% taking place in Australia.¹ In July, two American fishermen were thrown into the sea when a humpback whale slammed into their boat.² Meanwhile, in another part of America, a woman escaped an alligator assaultA physical attack, or (as a verb) to physically attack someone. on the Independence Day holiday.³

Rising temperatures make it harder for many animals to find food. They are forced to leave their usual hunting grounds and sometimes even to attack humans.

For some people, this is a worrying trend. After all, if the world keeps getting hotter and populations keep getting bigger, attacks will increase.⁴

Studies suggest dogs become aggressive if they are too hot.⁵ Even relatively peaceful creatures are showing signs of violence; there are reports of otters assaulting people in Singapore,⁶ and vicious squirrel attacks of people in New York.⁷

However, these attacks may show that conservation efforts are working and animal populations increasing. Protecting species such as whales and alligators is important, even if these animals are sometimes dangerous to humans.

For example, over the past few decades, wolves have been successfully reintroduced to European highlands in a process known as rewildingReturning developed or farmed land to its natural state by reintroducing species that once lived there. . Supporters argue that this risk is justified by "the multiple benefits to people and nature" that rewilding brings.⁸

That said, animal attacks should not draw attention away from the real victims of climate change. According to the charity Greenpeace, in the past 50 years wildlife populations have declined dramatically, by 69% on average.⁹

It is easy to forget that people are predators too. One campaigning organisation estimates that the food industry kills 79 billion land animals each year.¹⁰

People should think twice before calling other animals aggressive. Most are looking for food and shelter - just like their human cousins.

Are wild animals getting more aggressive?

Yes: Global warming has damaged many habitats, while growing populations reduce the space left for wildlife. As a result, more animal attacks are inevitable.

No: Predators are a vital part of a healthy ecosystem. Occasional attacks show that efforts to protect these animals are beginning to work.

Or... When you look at the destruction caused by climate change and the meat industry, it becomes clear that humans are the most dangerous predators of all.

FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.