Coney Island Loses a Very Old Shark

The New York Aquarium in Coney Island has lost one of its oldest residents, a 43-year-old sand tiger shark believed to be one of the oldest in any aquarium. Her name was Bertha and the aquarium staff is very sad about losing her. Bertha was euthanized Saturday after a month-long illness. The cause of death is still unknown, but it may simply have been old age or age-related. Aquarium director Jon Forrest Dohlin called her "A beloved resident of Coney Island." In 1965, a local fisherman caught Bertha in a net brought her to the New York Aquarium. The staff believes she was a baby at the time. She spent her days in a 90,000-gallon tank that is about 30 feet in diameter. Sand tiger sharks eat fish and are not aggressive toward humans. She leaves no survivors.

Bertha Coverage:
In Coney Island, One of Oldest Sharks in Captivity Dies [NYT]
Coney Is. Shark Dies [NYP]
New York Aquarium mourns Bertha the tiger shark [NYDN]
Coney Island Loses Long-Time Resident Shark [Gothamist]