A dog walker found a massive endangered shark washed up on Par beach, writes SWNS Reporter Filipa Gaspar.

The two-and-a-half metre thresher shark was discovered at about 8am on New Year's Day. Teams from Cornwall Wildlife Trust have collected the body and will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The thresher shark is a migratory species that travels through UK waters during the summer months and is classified as endangered in European waters by the IUCN Red List.

Video: Hayley Michelle Cumming / SWNS

A spokesperson for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: ”Initial assessments suggest that the shark had experienced significant trauma, likely caused by line-caught sport fishing.

“Bycatch remains a major threat to ocean wildlife. Cornwall Wildlife Trust urges water users to follow safe handling and release practices to protect our marine animals.

The thresher shark washed up on Par beach, Cornwall. Release date – January 3, 2025. A shocking video shows a massive endangered shark washed up on a British beach. The shark was discovered by a dog walker at about 8am on New Year's Day on Par beach, Cornwall. The animal was estimated to be around two-and-a-half metres long by the walker. Teams from Cornwall Wildlife Trust have collected the body and will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. On a Facebook post, the Trust said the animal was a thresher shark - a migratory species that travels through UK waters during the summer months. Thresher sharks are classified as Endangered in European waters by the IUCN Red List.
The thresher shark washed up on Par beach (Picture: Hayley Michelle Cumming / SWNS)

“Huge thanks to our amazing volunteers and community members who helped move the animal safely and kept people at a safe distance.

“Post-mortem results are pending, full results will be published in due course.”