A baby hammerhead shark, approximately one foot long, fell onto a disc golf course after being dropped by an osprey.
The incident occurred at Splinter City Disc Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Jonathan Marlowe and his friends witnessed the event while playing disc golf.
Ospreys are known to hunt fish, but hammerhead sharks are not a typical part of their diet. A smaller, juvenile shark is appropriately sized for the bird to carry.
The waters off the coast of South Carolina are home to several hammerhead species, including great hammerheads, bonnetheads, scalloped hammerheads, and Carolina hammerheads.
Why this matters: This event highlights the intersection of wildlife and human activity, reminding us of the unexpected ways nature can present itself. It also raises questions about the food chain and the challenges faced by young marine animals.
On May 18, 2025, Jonathan Marlowe and his friends were playing disc golf at Splinter City Disc Golf Course when they witnessed an osprey carrying a small hammerhead shark. According to Marlowe, two crows began chasing the osprey, causing it to drop its prey. The disc golfers discovered the shark was about a foot long.
The location of the disc golf course, adjacent to Myrtle Beach State Park and about half a mile from the ocean, made the event even more intriguing. While the group considered returning the shark to the water, they determined that it was unlikely to survive, given the circumstances.
Ospreys are skilled fish hunters, capable of spotting prey from the air and diving to catch them. Hammerhead sharks give birth to live young, which spend their early lives in shallow coastal waters. The presence of various hammerhead species off the coast of South Carolina makes such an encounter possible, though rare. Species include great hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran), bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo), scalloped hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini), and Carolina hammerheads (Sphyrna gilberti).
Q: What kind of shark was it?
It was a baby hammerhead shark, about one foot long.
Q: How did the shark end up on the golf course?
An osprey was carrying the shark as prey, but dropped it after being chased by crows.
Q: Where did this happen?
Splinter City Disc Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Nature can be unpredictable, and wildlife encounters can happen in unexpected places.
Ospreys are skilled hunters that primarily feed on fish, but can sometimes catch other marine animals.
Hammerhead sharks are native to the waters off the coast of South Carolina, and their young often inhabit shallow coastal areas.
This event serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the challenges faced by young marine life.
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