Rare 150-year-old Greenland shark found on Irish coast

A rare Greenland shark, estimated to be up to 150 years old, washed up on the shores of County Sligo, Ireland, marking the first known stranding of this species on the Irish coast.

The shark was discovered on the shores of Finisklin and measured approximately 2 meters in length.

Initially reported as a basking shark by two local men, further examination confirmed the specimen was indeed a Greenland shark, a species known for its exceptional longevity and deep-water habitat.

This discovery has been described as "very rare" by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).

The Greenland shark is the longest-living vertebrate known, with lifespans that can exceed 500 years.

The male shark found in Sligo showed signs of nearing sexual maturity, with well-developed claspers.

The species typically inhabits cold Arctic and North Atlantic waters and is adapted to extreme environments.

The shark is now in the possession of the Natural History Museum of Ireland (NHMI), where it will undergo a detailed scientific post-mortem examination.

Tissue samples and anatomical components will be preserved to aid research into this elusive deep-water species.

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