Beijing's Biggest Shark, Alpha, Dies at 15

Our landlocked capital lost a fishy friend on Monday. Alpha, a sand tiger shark (known in Australia as the grey nurse shark) and largest shark in Beijing, died after falling ill at age 15.

Alpha arrived at the New Zealand Blue Zoo Aquarium in 2003 at the estimated age of two, and was believed to be 14 or 15 at the time of his death, by which point he had grown to be two meters long. Sand tiger sharks can live as long as 25 years, although closer to 20 is more common. Named by twins on their 12th birthday, Alpha's mouthful of big, sharp teeth gave him – and his entire species – an undeserved reputation for fear and ferocity.

More than the other sharks at the Blue Zoo, though, Alpha preferred to be left alone, waiting to be hand-fed twice per day. The only sand tiger shark left there, he paced the tank like an old dog, but never failed to excite those who saw him. He was the star of SinoScuba's annual Shark Week event, but also the only shark with which visitors were not allowed to interact.

No word yet on whether any new sand tiger sharks will be brought to the Blue Zoo.

Disclosure: Steven Schwankert is the founder of SinoScuba.

Photo: Steven Schwankert/the Beijinger