Local shark researchers have performed a rare necropsy of a 12-foot great white shark that washed up dead on a Cape Cod beach.
The mature male shark — previously identified as “Koala” in 2022 — was found on Nauset Beach earlier this week, and he was secured by officials from the town of Orleans and the Orleans Police Department.
Shark researchers then tried to learn the cause of death, as Greg Skomal from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries performed a necropsy, with the help of a team from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and New England Aquarium.
There were no obvious signs of trauma pointing to a cause of death, the researchers said, so further testing will be needed to find out how or why Koala died.
“Opportunities to necropsy white sharks are rare so the unfortunate loss of this mature male will ultimately benefit science,” shark researcher John Chisholm posted. “Samples will be shared with other scientists including vertebrae for aging & tissue samples for pathology to stomach contents for diet studies and much more.
“They are also teachable moments, allowing veteran scientists to teach and train future scientists,” Chisholm added. “The crew from Atlantic White Shark Conservancy got a lesson on shark biology from Greg Skomal that also included some hands on experience.”
The researchers took a time-lapse video of the necropsy.
“As it is incredibly sad that a white shark has died, samples of organs, tissues, vertebrate sections, and more are used to further the knowledge of this species,” the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy posted.
October is typically very busy for great white shark activity along Cape Cod. Last year, October had the most shark detections, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Logbook.
Tagged white sharks are detected on the Conservancy’s receivers throughout the summer and fall. Last year, October had the most detections with 40,322.
Great white sharks hunt for seals along the Cape coast throughout the summer and fall. The sharks feed on seals close to shore.
