Dr Lance O'Sullivan kept shark in freezer for three months so scientists could study it

May 9, 2018

Former New Zealander of the Year Dr Lance O’Sullivan kept a great white shark in his freezer for three months to give some Kiwi scientists a rare chance to learn about the species.

Dr O’Sullivan discovered the shark, which was 1.85m long and weighed 59.2 kilograms, washed up on Northland’s Great Exhibition Bay, Stuff reports.

Dr Lance O'Sullivan.

The author and public health advocate took the shark, thought to be about one-year-old, home and put it in his meat freezer.

With the permission of Ngati Kuri, a necropsy, the equivalent of an autopsy, on the shark was performed at Auckland’s Massey University campus with an audience ranging from primary school kids through to PhD level students.

Massey scientist Dr Adam Smith, who was present at the necropsy, said it was a rare opportunity to learn more about sharks.  

“It’s not often we get the opportunity to dissect a great white shark, especially one so young. It’s been really great to bring together all sorts of people who are interested in the marine environment and protecting our marine species.

“We have good facilities for dissecting and doing necropsies of marine animals of all sorts. We necropsy dolphins, small whales, turtles and sharks. After the initial measurements, they cut the shark open, weighed the liver, looked at the shark’s stomach contents, taking samples for DNA analysis for heavy metal analysis. There’s a lot of information packed in that one animal.”

It is not known what killed the female great white but a hook was found in its mouth.

Ngāti Kuri will take the shark back to Northland. 

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