‘Like finding a Roman hoard’: calls grow for return of Hampshire shark’s body parts

Historian Dan Snow assembled team to ‘secure the shark for science’ but head, tail and fin were gone

The discovery of a rare shark on a Hampshire beach is as valuable as the unearthing of an ancient treasure trove, an expert has said, as calls grow for the return of the head, tail and fin, which were removed before scientists could salvage the carcass.

The 2-metre (6ft) animal, believed to be a smalltooth sand tiger shark, would normally only be seen in warmer waters – and rarely anywhere north of the Bay of Biscay. Scientists believe the weekend discovery can help them learn them more about how the species develops and lives its life.