VENGEFUL locals have killed a hammerhead and bludgeoned another apex predator with a club as part of a war on sharks.
Vigilante fishermen have been going out to sea to slay any sharks they come across after a spate of savage shark attacks in Tela, Honduras.
Grim footage showed fishermen dangle bait in the water before hooking the beastJam Press Vid
The fishermen batter the shark’s snout with a clubJam Press Vid
On Monday, Roberto Carlos Bu Mejía, 38, was left with gaping wounds to his torso and right leg after enjoying a dip in the sea after another tourist was reportedly attacked near the Port of Puerto Castilla.
Angry locals have since tracked what they believe to be the shark responsible for attacking Roberto, who is still in hospital recovering.
Shocking footage shows the fishermen dangling bait in the water before hooking the helpless shark.
They drag the animal to the surface and position it alongside their boat and batter the shark’s snout with a club.
The predator struggles to swim away but the man keeps it next to the boat and continues whacking its head several times.
On Wednesday, a group of fishermen found a hammerhead shark in the sea and savagely killed it.
They then dragged its carcass ashore and celebrated the vengeful kill with fellow locals.
But their actions were widely slammed as “irresponsible” online and one said that the men “are not acting in a professional manner”.
They added: “Human stupidity has no limits” and “no good decisions are being made” in response to the shark attacks in the area.
The presence of multiple sharks in the area has put the local population on high alert.
But local experts pointed out that hammerhead sharks do not generally pose a threat to humans.
In response, the mayor’s office of Tela issued a statement advising residents not to enter the sea looking for marine predators.
According to reports, the shark’s victim Roberto became the first patient to ever be treated for a shark bite at the Hospital Tela Integrado.
Hospital director Sulmi Llegó said his condition was stable and that he would be referred to the Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas in San Pedro Sula for reconstructive surgery.
The Honduran victim, from Ocotepeque, was visiting the beach on holiday when the shark bit him in the ribs and then mauled his leg.
Fire department spokesperson Sergeant David Velásquez confirmed the victim was attacked by a shark after rumours circulated that it could have been a crocodile or large lizard.
Following the attack, the beach in resort town Tela has stayed shut.
Vengeful locals killed a hammerhead shark as part of a war on sharksJam Press