Great white sharks are dying in unusual numbers along the coasts of eastern Canada and the U.S., with nine carcasses discovered within months. Several specimens were found beached, displaying symptoms of meningoencephalitis, where inflamed brain tissue affects their swimming ability. Notably, some sharks were recovered with full bellies, raising concerns about their health as standard causes of death seem absent. Researchers like Megan Jones from CWHC and Alisa Newton from OCEARC are seeking answers to this marine mystery and its potential implications for shark populations.
"Three of these five seem to have the same potentially infectious disease affecting their brain. We need to know more about what that is." - Megan Jones, veterinary pathologist, CWHC.
"On its own, it's not alarming to find sharks suffering from meningoencephalitis, but no underlying cause has presented itself so far." - CWHC analysis.
"I feel very strongly that there's something significant going on," - Alisa Newton, chief veterinarian for the shark research group OCEARC.
"The grim death toll has risen to nine great white sharks found on beaches from eastern Canada to the U.S." - article overview.
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