Officials have been left baffled after a great white shark was found "decapitated" by a beachgoer in New Zealand.
One member of the public reported the horrifying discovery after they spotted the protected species on a boat ramp on Mahia Beach, on the east side of the North Island last week. The local Department of Conservation (DOC) has launched a desperate appeal to uncover the moments leading up to its death. It comes following a string of mammal being stranded on dry land in recent weeks.
Speaking about the incident on March 15, Matt Tong, DOC Operations Manager for Tairawhiti, said: "The shark's body was discovered at the boat ramp and reported to DOC by a member of the public. We believe the shark was caught on Friday morning, then brought ashore to Mahia beach where it was decapitated."
It is illegal to hunt, kill or otherwise harm great white sharks under New Zealand's Wildlife Act 1953. The act also prohibits people possessing or trading in any part of the animals. Basking sharks, oceanic whitetips, deepwater nurse sharks and whale sharks are also protected, reports the Daily Star.
Tong said: "It's not illegal to accidentally catch a great white shark, but it must be released without causing it further harm, and it is a legal requirement to report all captures to DOC." Hunting or killing protected marine wildlife without authority in New Zealand is punishable either by up to two years in prison, a fine of up to NZ$250,000 (£119,000), or both.
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"Following recent strandings in the area, the DOC said it expects there to be more sharks than usual in the waters around Mahia. Marine mammal strandings can lead to increased shark activity as sharks are attracted to the remains, the organisation explained. Tong said: "If you spot a great white, exit the water quickly and calmly, and report the sighting to DOC."
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