A huge shark rescued from an abandoned net has been found dead just days later.
The 31st (200kg) common thresher – also known as the Atlantic thresher – was discovered by volunteers.
It was entangled in a ‘ghost net’ – one that has been abandoned, lost or discarded in the ocean.
READ MORE: Horror moment monkey knocks over man carrying child and hijacks pushchair
The species pose a small threat to humans and can be aggressive if provoked.
Volunteers from Clovelly Lifeboat Station, in Devon, were called to help and managed to release the giant fish back into the sea.
But four days later, it was found dead on a beach close to Clovelly Harbour, as reported by Need To Know.
Devon Wildlife Trust said the 13-foot shark was an adult female.
A spokesperson said: “Without a post-mortem we cannot tell for definite how the animal died, but the live stranding/entanglement is highly likely a contributing factor.”
A spokesperson for the lifeboat station said: “Our volunteers were asked to assist in the release of a thresher shark that had become caught in a net.
“Struggling against an outgoing tide, they were eventually successful in returning her to the sea alive.”
Later, they added: “Unfortunately we’re very sorry to report that the shark we rescued washed up deceased.
“We’d like to thank everyone for supporting our volunteers who went above and beyond in their efforts to save her.
“Despite the sad outcome, we hope that this shows we will always do everything we can to save all lives at sea.”
The trust said thresher sharks were deep water species that more commonly migrated through British waters in summer.
It said: “Sightings and strandings of thresher sharks have increased in recent years in the South West and are likely to increase in the future, due to warming waters as a result of climate change.”
A spokesman for conservation charity Marine Connection added: “Devastating to learn that a female common thresher shark found entangled in a ghost fishing net but released was discovered dead days later on a beach close to Clovelly Harbour, Devon.
“These abandoned, lost or discarded nets are devastating marine life, such a sad outcome.”
