Pender Harbour residents sprang to action recently trying to save a shark that had washed up on the shoreline of Garden Bay.
Area resident Vera Horicky was out walking her dog when she came upon her neighbours taking photos on the beach. The neighbours waved and Horicky waved back, continuing along with her walk. It was only when she got home that she received a call from her neighbours saying a shark had washed up on the rocks.
Horicky grabbed her husband and camera and met multiple neighbours at the beach.
"None of us could believe it," said Horicky of the shark. "It was so sad, but beautiful."
The species turned out to be a bluntnose sixgill. According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), there are 14 species of shark in the waters off the B.C. coastline. This type of shark was listed under the Species at Risk Act as a Species of Special Concern in 2009, though not uncommon to see.
Horicky was unaware of the type of shark it was, but knew it was in great distress due to bleeding from its belly and tail while struggling to breathe.
"It was on the beach and stuck between the big rocks. I said to my neighbour, empty your bucket and start pouring water on it," said Horicky, who ran home for more buckets. "I gave my husband and everybody a bucket and they were pouring water."
Horicky again ran home to call a friend for assistance. The friend, in turn, called the DFO. Horicky rejoined the group, pouring water on the shark for over an hour.
"Every time we poured water, you could tell it made her feel good. She moved her head. It was so sad. I was so hoping we could save her," Horicky said.
However, by the time DFO members arrived, the shark had died.
"We thought the shark must be female because around her private parts there was blood and something was sticking out. We were told she just gave birth before that," Horicky said. "I think she came to die here, or something. I don't know but it was sad. I've lived here 17 years and never saw anything like that. It was so beautiful."
The DFO was not able to surmise why the shark died, nor confirm the gender or possible birth of a baby. Officers measured the shark and took tissue samples so more can be learned about the species.
