![Fishermen use a stretcher with steels bars to carry a rare 15-foot (4.5-m) megamouth shark, which was trapped in a fishermen's net in Burias Pass Fishermen use a stretcher with steels bars to carry a rare 15-foot megamouth shark, which was trapped in a fishermen's net in Burias Pass in Albay and Masbate provinces, central Philippines, Jan. 28, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/megamouth-shark.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
A dead megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) was discovered by fishermen in the Philippines on Wednesday, providing a rare glimpse of a mysterious animal that spends much of its life in the deep ocean.
It was found in the Burias Pass, located between the Albay and Masbate provinces of central Philippines. Less than 70 megamouth sharks have ever been spotted, according to marine biologist Christopher Bird and Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines.
The 15-foot male was dead when it was discovered. The cause of death is unknown. Very little is known about the megamouth shark, an extremely rare species of deepwater shark that was only first discovered in 1976. Most wash up on the coasts of the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- The Rise of a New Kind of Parenting Guru
- The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now
- Mark Kelly and the History of Astronauts Making the Jump to Politics
- The Young Women Challenging Iran’s Regime
- How to Be More Spontaneous As a Busy Adult
- Can Food Really Change Your Hormones?
- Column: Why Watching Simone Biles Makes Me Cry
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com