BBC
·Jul 2026
‘We were all just in awe’: A stranding in Ireland sheds new light on the long, slow, ice-cold life of a deep-sea shark
Researchers examined a Greenland shark that stranded in County Sligo, offering rare insights into one of the world’s longest‑lived vertebrates. The necropsy revealed a generally healthy animal potentially more than 150 years old, providing samples for studies on age, DNA repair, telomeres and longevity. Scientists highlighted ongoing gaps in knowledge about Greenland shark reproduction, population size and habitats, which complicate conservation efforts. The specimen will support further research and eventual museum display, while early findings underscore the species’ remarkable resilience to age‑related degeneration.