New York City subway commuters were surprised to find a 40cm dead, wet shark on a subway car on Wednesday 7 August 2013. Commuter Juan Cano said:

I thought it was just a plush toy or a prank. When I saw the teeth that’s when I knew it was real, it was no toy.

Cano also recalled the shark having blood in its mouth, suggesting it may have been caught recently.

Instead of moving the shark, commuters decided to pose for pictures with the animal. Some commuters added props before photographing the shark.

Metropolitan Transit Authority spokesperson Kevin Ortiz said the subway car where the shark was found was cleared of passengers and the doors locked. The shark was removed and disposed of, but the shark’s origin could not be determined.

The shark’s appearance in the subway has been speculated to be a publicity stunt for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. but the Discovery Channel denies that they were involved. Discovery Channel spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said:

Shark Week is all about conservation, so it deeply saddens us that someone would think that this was funny or in any way connected to our celebration of sharks.

[Source: CNN, YouTube]