# Aquarium shark that helped ‘dispel myths’ dies

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/aquarium-shark-that-helped-dispel-myths-dies/
- Published: 2026-11-01T12:13:50+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T13:11:55+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Science (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c64g18lkz0kno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Science

## Key points

- Howie had lived at the Plymouth aquarium since it opened in 1998.
- The shark was believed to be almost 30 and measured 9ft.
- She helped raise awareness of a critically endangered species.

## Summary

Howie, a sand tiger shark who had lived at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth since it opened in 1998, has died after changes in her behaviour and condition. She did not respond to medical treatment and was put to sleep; the aquarium said she had helped visitors understand a critically endangered species and challenge myths about sharks.

Believed to be almost 30, Howie grew to 9ft (2.7m) long. She first lived in the aquarium’s Great Barrier Reef habitat before moving to its Atlantic Ocean habitat, where two other sand tiger sharks, Ushaka and Mandela, remain on display.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.