Necropsy Performed On Nauset Great White Shark

ORLEANS – More time is needed to determine the cause of death for the great white shark that washed up onto Nauset Beach last week.

 A necropsy was performed on the 12-foot, 1,200-pound shark, who was identified as “Koala,” on Oct. 16, one day after it was discovered caught in the surf on the beach.

 Measurements and samples were taken of Koala, which the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said was a “mature, male white shark.”

 “There are no obvious signs of how or why Koala died,” the Conservancy said in a Facebook post following the necropsy. “Further testing will have to be done to find a cause of death.”

 The necropsy was performed by Dr. Greg Skomal of the state Division of Marine Fisheries at the public works transfer station in Orleans. Koala was first towed up to the Nauset Beach parking lot by beach staff on Oct. 15 before being transported to the transfer station.

 The stranding drew some spectators to Nauset Beach last week as news of shark’s death spread on social media. The beach has seen a lot of shark activity in recent years, as more seals populate the beach’s shallow waters.