White shark's record-breaking journey offers clues to help the protected species

LeeBeth, a 14-foot white shark, made history by traveling further into the Gulf of Mexico than any previously tracked white shark. Her journey could provide clues to help the species.

White sharks, often referred to as great whites, were made famous by the 1970s hit movie "Jaws." They roam the ocean searching for their favorite food, marine mammals, and were once hunted without discrimination. Some scientists believe growing populations of seals in parts of the Atlantic Ocean are helping the sharks, which were designated a protected species in 1997.

Since getting her tracking device near South Carolina in December, LeeBeth has traveled more than 2,000 miles south and into the Gulf of Mexico, the scientists monitoring her every move said Monday. They watched as she made history in late February by traveling further into the Gulf than any previously tracked white shark. A signal showed her off the coast near Matamoros, Mexico, just across the U.S. border from South Padre Island, Texas.