Experts are hurriedly searching for a “very unfashionable shark” that was spotted roaming the waters while wearing a woman’s skirt.
The animal is at risk (Image: Facebook / Brad Nelson)
Although the image of the shark in a skirt seemed funny, marine experts are desperate to locate the ocean-going predator because it is in danger of dying.
On closer study of the photographs, it appears like the shark is being choked out by the clothing, with the woman’s skirt forming a makeshift noose that is blocking the marine creature’s gills.
Cayman Islands’ Department of Environment are keen to find the “poor nurse shark” before it is choked to death by the mesh piece.
The situation with the skirt is critical (Image: Facebook / Brad Nelson)
A statement released by the Department of Environment read: “This poor nurse shark became entangled in a mesh bag which somehow found its way into the sea.
“We are doing out best to locate and assist him but so far, we’ve been unsuccessful.”
Scuba diver Brad Nelson had first spotted the creature, whose life was at risk after sporting a mesh bag around itself, which the diver described as “very unfashionable”.
Posting a series of snaps to Facebook, the diver said that he would have helped the ocean predator but did not have the tools at his disposal to do so.
The shark doesn’t seem impressed (Image: Facebook / Brad Nelson)
Nelson wrote: “This sad Nurse Shark was wearing a mesh bag (very unfashionable). Unfortunately, I didn’t have my fancy scissors to help him out of his predicament. Perhaps I’ll see him again tomorrow…”
The shark, which experts are actively searching for in the hopes of helping them before it is too late “could be anywhere” according to worried officials, FLKey news reported.
Although the size of the shark was not revealed, it is known that a nurse shark can grow up to 12 feet and are “harmless and not aggressive but will bite if they are provoked.”