A photographer has been bitten by a "shark or a sea lion" during the finals for a World Surf League (WSL) competition in New Zealand.
The unknown sea creature attacked the photographer, who was shooting the semi-final in the water, at 8.26am on Sunday local time, causing the event to be put on hold for several hours.
The photographer, Australian Ed Sloane, was treated for puncture wounds on his ankle but was in a stable condition and good spirits, the league said.
WSL tours and competition vice president Renato Hickel told the event broadcast they were unsure what kind of marine animal had caused the injury.
"This morning one of the water photography team suffered a wildlife injury," he said.
"At this stage we're not certain if it was a shark or a sea lion. The doctor that was here helping on the scene was inclined to think it was a sea lion instead of a shark.
"Nevertheless, very scary."
In a post on Instagram, Mr Sloane thanked medical staff for their swift response and those present for providing an "immediate shoulder to cry on", after the creatures tried to see "how I went for breakfast".
"Nightmare fuel as it came from directly below," he said.
"Bit of surgery ahead but should be fine."
He also praised the town of Raglan, on New Zealand's north island, for hosting the event, adding that he was "planning a family trip here to find my mate", in an apparent reference to the sea creature.
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Once the competition resumed, Hawaiian Carissa Moore and Brazil's Italo Ferreira claimed victory in the New Zealand Pro final on Monday.
Wildlife attacks during surf events are rare but do occur, such as in 2015 when world champion Mick Fanning famously tussled with a shark during the final of a WSL event at South Africa's Jeffreys Bay.
(c) Sky News 2026: Photographer bitten by a 'shark or sea lion' during surf competition in New Zealand
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