Witnesses Point To Shark Attack After Discovery Of Dolphin Carcass In Harlyn Bay

Locals believe that a shark might be responsible for killing a dolphin whose carcass has been washed ashore on a beach near Padstow, Cornwall.

Beach goers who were at Harlyn Bay when the dead cetacean was discovered said that they saw “large bite marks” on the animal’s mutilated remains, according to The Sun.

“You can see what looks like teeth marks and I just can’t think of anything else that could have done this,” said one witness.

The onlooker added that it would be “terrifying” to think that it was indeed a shark that killed the dolphin and devoured the bottom part of its body.

The photos of the dead dolphin were shared by Beach Guardian mainstay, Bob Stevenson.

He said that one of their volunteers who was, at that time, walking his dog on the beach saw the lifeless animal in the water.

By the time he received the images, Stevenson went to Harlyn Bay to investigate the sighting.

“It’s a sad picture and terrible to see but we can’t really speculate as to how it died,” said Stevenson.

He also pointed a “piece of tape” that was seen on the dolphin’s talil and argued that it could have been “from a previous rescue attempt at another beach.”

“This is the second dead dolphin we’ve been told in about two weeks.”

Stevenson likewise said that calls to Beach Guardian, a Community Interest Company that conducts programs such as community beach cleans, school educational visits and workshops, have increased due to bad climate.

The weather isn’t helping with their efforts and they have been addressing multiple reports on exposed nets and ropes, he said.

The discovery of the dolphin carcass has been forwarded to the Marine Strandings Network.

The Sun reported in August that there are more than 40 shark species living in British waters, including the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), a juggernaut of a fish and one of three shark species that feeds mainly on plankton.

Another household name fishermen are likely to encounter on their trips is the porbeagle (Lamna nasus). This type of shark resembles the dreaded great white shark because of its “distinctive dorsal fin and long powerful body.”

Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) also make their “seasonal” visit in Britain.

The article also outlined that roughly 70 shark attacks are reported every year and “only a fraction” are deemed fatal.

Only the great white shark, bull shark and tiger shark are known to attack humans, and these species are not found in British waters.