An endangered Basking Shark was put down today, after it beached itself at Filey.
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The shark was believed to have been ill, and repeatedly attempted to beach itself even after being directed back out to sea.
The beach at Filey was closed yesterday after it was spotted in shallow water trying to beach itself, and shortly after a lifeboat crew tried to get it to go back out to sea – unfortunately, with no success.
Robin Petch, from the Marine charity Sea Watch said: “It was in the shallows in Filey Bay trying to beach itself and members of the public, the Coastguard and the RNLI were in attendance trying to stop it and persuade it to go out to sea.
“There was a vet in attendance and in the end they decided the best thing to do for the animal was to euthanise it.”
It was not a decision taken lightly, and even divers were brought in to try and get the animal back into deeper, safer water.
A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, the shark appeared to be struggling as it was listing consistently over to its right-hand side and circling in the shallows, sometimes needing support from the rescuers.”
“Despite attempts to move it into deeper water the shark continued to head back to the beach where it restranded and later in the evening was put to sleep by a vet due to the poor prognosis.”
Basking Sharks are an endangered species of Shark, and are the largest found in UK seas. They mainly feed on Plankton, so they’re not considered a danger to people, and have a lifespan of around 50 years.
