A rare megamouth shark has washed up dead for the second time in just a month, sparking concern among marine experts.
The elusive deep-sea giant, one of the least seen sharks on the planet, was found stranded on the northern coast of Peru, marking the second recorded incident in the region in under four weeks.
The 14ft 8in shark was discovered on Wednesday (17 December) between Playa Gaviotas and the fishing town of Yacila in the Piura region.
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Specialists from the Peruvian Marine Institute confirmed the animal was a megamouth shark, formally known as Megachasma pelagios.
The species is so rarely spotted that fewer than 300 sightings have been recorded worldwide since it was first identified.
The shark was found in a remote coastal area dominated by cliffs, rocky outcrops and narrow beaches, as reported by Need To Know.
Experts said the animal was already in an advanced state of decomposition, limiting the number of biological samples that could be taken.
Despite this, researchers were still able to complete a formal technical report, with the data now added to Peru’s official monitoring records for rare marine species.
The megamouth shark is considered one of the most mysterious creatures in the ocean.
It is a pelagic, filter-feeding species that lives in deep waters and is rarely encountered by humans.
Another megamouth shark was recorded in the Piura region in November 2025.
According to reports, local fishermen “filleted the specimen for sudado and ceviche”, two traditional dishes in the country.
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