Imagine playing a round of disc golf when suddenly, something unexpected plummets from the sky. That's exactly what happened to a group of disc golfers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when a baby hammerhead shark made an unceremonious landing on their course.
Jonathan Marlowe, 44, and his friends were playing at Hole 11 of the Splinter City Disc Golf Course on the morning of May 18th when they witnessed the bizarre event. According to Marlowe, they saw an osprey carrying something above them. Two crows then began chasing the osprey into a nearby tree.
The osprey, apparently startled by the crows, dropped its catch. Initially, the group assumed it was just a fish. However, upon closer inspection, they realized it was a baby hammerhead shark, roughly a foot long.
"I've never even seen a hammerhead in real life, and here's a baby one on the ground that literally fell out of the sky," Marlowe told ABC News.
Marlowe captured photos of the incident, which have since gone viral. In the images, you can see the small hammerhead shark lying on the disc golf course. The group considered rescuing the shark and returning it to the ocean, which is about half a mile away near Myrtle Beach State Park. However, they ultimately decided against it, believing the shark's chances of survival after the fall were slim.
Hammerhead Sharks and Ospreys: An Unexpected Encounter
Scalloped hammerhead sharks are commonly found in tropical waters but can range as far north as the New Jersey coastline, according to NOAA. They can grow up to 11 feet long. Ospreys are birds of prey that primarily feed on fish. It's not uncommon for them to hunt near coastal areas.
This incident highlights the fascinating and sometimes unpredictable interactions that can occur in nature. While a hammerhead shark falling from the sky is certainly unusual, it serves as a reminder of the diverse ecosystem we share and the food chains that connect different species. It remains unclear whether the shark was alive when it was dropped.
What to Do If You Find a Shark on Land
- Contact local authorities or wildlife officials immediately.
- Do not attempt to handle the shark yourself.
- Keep a safe distance from the shark.
- Provide as much information as possible to the authorities, including the location and condition of the shark.