New York Aquarium's Oldest Shark Dies

April 2, 2008

Release from: United Press International

NEW YORK - The New York Aquarium has announced its oldest shark, a 43-year-old sand tiger, has been euthanized after a long illness.

Hans Walters, a shark specialist and Animal Department supervisor at the aquarium, said the shark, named Bertha, fell ill more than a month ago and was euthanized Saturday, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

"It was a real rough decision," Walters said.

He said a necropsy performed after the shark's death to discover the cause of its illness was inconclusive.

Bertha, who measured 8 feet long and weighed 250 pounds before her death, was brought to the aquarium in 1965 after she became ensnared in a fisherman's net.