Scientists still working to determine cause of death for shark found on beach

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW researchers have released findings from their necropsy on a great white shark that washed up on Wrightsville Beach this week.

William McLennan and Thomas Lankford say they could not determine how the juvenile female shark died. The shark did have multiple shark bites and was missing its left flipper. Researchers collected samples to help figure out if the wounds happened before or after the animal died. They say test results may also help determine a cause of death.

The shark did have some mains of a large drum fish in its stomach, and gut content samples were collected for biotoxin tests.

The shark was found Monday near the Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach.