Biologists and historians are calling for the return of the top and tail of an “exceptionally rare” shark which was discovered lifeless on a seashore within the New Forest.
The animal, believed to be a smalltooth sand tiger, was discovered by walkers on Lepe Beach in Hampshire on Saturday.
TV historian Dan Snow noticed the shark on the time however stated the physique components had been eliminated when he returned to take it away for biologists to look at it.
He stated “trophy hunters” had “chopped the head off” in a video on Twitter.
The broadcaster has now joined requires its stays to be returned.
He posted on Twitter: “We went to secure the shark for science last night. But we were too late! Please please- of [sic] you have the head get in touch. The scientists want to have a look at it and then it’s yours to keep.”
He added: “Biologist friends like @Ben_garrod identified it as an exceptionally rare visitor to these shores and asked me secure it [sic]. The head, tail and fin were grabbed before I get [sic] assemble a big enough team to drag it off the beach to the nearest road.
“It shouldn’t be unlawful to take components from lifeless fish washed ashore so there is no judging however should you took the top please get in contact, let the scientists take a look after which it is yours to maintain.”
A spokesman for The Shark Trust said the discovery was an “thrilling” discover.
He stated: “Although not able to examine the shark first-hand, several photographs have been circulated, and Shark Trust staff and colleagues identified the shark as a smalltooth sand tiger (Odontaspis ferox).
“Despite their circumglobal distribution, smalltooth sand tigers are seldom encountered and thought of naturally uncommon.
“In the north-east Atlantic their range reaches to the French coast at the top of the Bay of Biscay, making this report an exceptional one.”
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Such sharks can develop to as much as 4m in size, based on The Shark Trust.
They are usually discovered in direction of the seabed and feed on small fish and squid, utilizing their lengthy and slender enamel.
The species is “globally vulnerable” with its numbers considered in decline, the Trust warned.
The Trust’s spokesman added: “With smalltooth sand tigers likely exceptionally rare visitors north of Biscay, this report is an exciting one.
“And whereas efforts have been made to safe the specimen for analysis, latest photographs present that the shark was butchered in a single day with the top and tail eliminated.
“The head in particular holds the key to unlocking intricate details of the shark’s life, even from before birth, so we’d welcome news of its whereabouts.
“Sighting information like this assist form our information of species distributions. This sighting could have been a vagrant, however by sustaining information of occasional finds new patterns could begin to emerge, making all information necessary.”
Source: information.sky.com”