30-Foot-Long Basking Shark That Washed Up on Maine Beach Dies Despite Rescue Efforts

ABC News ^ | 09/03/15 | AVIANNE TAN

[Enlightened1]

Beachgoers in Lubec, Maine, near the Canadian border, tried to save a 30-foot-long basking shark that recently washed ashore, according to a video showing the desperate rescue attempt.

Onlooker Mark Olsen recorded the video Wednesday morning, when more than a dozen people spent several hours pouring buckets of ocean water into the large shark's gills and onto its skin.

The 30-foot-long shark can be seen immobile, lying on its side with a bloodied fin in the video.

Despite the efforts to save the shark, it died Wednesday afternoon, according to Lubec Town Administrator John Sutherland. He said the College of the Atlantic will be handling the shark's remains.

[Enlightened1]

[familyop]

It was basking.

[stars & stripes forever]

If only people would put as much effort into defunding Planned Parenthood.

[Libloather]

Mouth to mouth?

[skr]

Perhaps if they were forced to watch an abortion, they might make the connection.

[Joe 6-pack]

In early 2000, I was sent TDY to Camp Rilea, OR to help prepare some OR National Guardsmen for a Bosnia deployment. I went running on the beach early one morning, and way up ahead I saw what I first thought was a big rock jutting out of the sand. As I got closer I noticed it was a basking shark's head, about the size of an end table.

That's when I noticed the Orcas splashing about some 2-300 yards off shore.

[Fido969]

I heard that the local bar association took up a collection to help the shark.

Professional courtesy, I guess.

[pleasenotcalifornia]

No one tried mouth to mouth?

[onona]

People are funny

[Don Corleone]

Shark lives matter???

[Tijeras_Slim]

I guess it missed the Sharknado and had to settle for the Shark dust devil.

[fso301]

Who has the dynamite?

[zek157]

Pretty sure they are filter feeders without teeth.

[dfwgator]

[CincyRichieRich]

Good grief! 10 minutes have passed and the pic of Charlie Rangel on the beach is NOT POSTED!

[PGR88]

We have burials at sea, Sharks have burial at land

[lightman]

Explain to me the warped psyche of those who would “rescue” a critter which considers the resucers to be prey.

[lightman]

It was basking.

Or pining for the fjords.

[rey]

What is it with people’s desire to save absolutely every animal? Deformed puppies, half mutilated dogs, just let them go. A vet asked a friend of mine, when she desired to attempt to save an aging cat hurt by a car; “Ask yourself; Are you doing this for you or for the cat?” 90% of these efforts are self serving.

Cool shark and picture, though.

[bert]

bleeding hearts attempt cure on bleeding fin