15-TON PREHISTORIC SHARK CAPTURED OFF COAST OF PAKISTAN
Karachi– A giant prehistoric shark previously thought to be extinct for more than 20 million years has been captured by local fishermen off the coast of Pakistan, reports the Islamabad Herald this morning.
The giant creature first thought to be a great white shark was ultimately declared by experts to be an unknown species of shark as its great weight and size were unheard of. More than 20 local fishermen were needed to haul the giant beast onto the shore before authorities later brought heavy machinery in
Analysis of the teeth suggests the shark is a parent of the Megalodon, an extinct species of shark that lived approximately 28 to 1.5 million years ago, during the Cenozoic Era.
The sea creature that measures an incredible 10.4 meters and weighs an astounding 15.6 tons is the largest living shark ever caught to date.
Great white sharks can reach up to 7 tons at full growth, a size that is no match for this giant prehistoric shark that can reach an imposing 20 meters in length and possibly weigh up to 30 tons, depending on estimates.
A “highly unexpected” catch. Smithsonian Institute researcher, Jeff Mayor, says this is the “catch of a lifetime” and was “highly unexpected”.
“This is an incredible opportunity to examine a real specimen instead of trying to figure out the whole picture from different fossil composites” admits Smithsonian paleontologist Jeff Mayor, visibly enthused by the discovery.
The specimen was revealed to be not fully grown and is estimated to be 2 or 3 years old and already twice the size of a full-grown white shark, which takes 5 years to reach its full growth.
A quick autopsy revealed the creature lives under great depths, feeding on giant squid and other fish not commonly found near the surface, which makes the discovery even more incredible to experts.
“Are rising sea temperatures forcing these beasts to come up closer to the shores or was this animal simply hurt and suffering from a disorienting handicap, these questions are left unanswered” claims local marine biologist Rajar Muhammar.
The recent discovery has raised great enthusiasm from experts abroad who are pondering the fact that other thought to be extinct species might still be dwelling in the depths of the seas.
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