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LOOK: Huge, rare shark washes ashore

Posted at 8:43 AM, Apr 30, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-30 08:43:28-04

by Lindsay Buckingham

WESTERLY, Rhode Island (WFSB) — People visiting Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, RI, saw something they least expected Sunday.

A 28 1/2-foot long male basking shark washed up onto shore.

According to the Associated Press, a homeowner in the Misquamicut Beach area made the shocking discovery and reported it to police.

Officials from Mystic Aquarium said staff members were sent to the beach to assist in investigating how the shark died.

Officials stressed that basking sharks are just giant fish that feed on nothing but plankton and are common in the New England area.