Shark that killed Russian tourist being made into Egyptian mummy for museum

13 June 2023 , 14:40

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The shark has reportedly been embalmed (Image: Marine Sciences and the Red Sea Reserves)

The tiger shark that killed a 23-year-old Russian tourist is reportedly being embalmed so it can be preserved for a museum display.

Vladimir Popov was eaten alive while swimming at a popular beach in Hurghada, Egypt, and screamed "Papa, papa" as the shark attacked him in front of horrified onlookers.

Earlier today, it was confirmed that the body parts of the man were recovered from inside the shark's belly.

Amr Zakaria Hamouda, head of the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries in Egypt, said the animal was mummified and is being prepared for an exhibition in the Museum of Marine Sciences in Hurghada.

Vladimir Popov was killed by a shark in Hurghada, Egypt (CEN)

Scientists are also planning a report on the animal's behaviour and research is ongoing to establish how to ensure that sharks stay away from tourist spots where people swim, snorkel and take part in water sports, reports Al Arabiya.

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According to Al Arabiya, Governor of the Red Sea Major General Amr Hanafi is looking into installing nets at some beaches, hotels, and tourist villages in order to prevent sharks from reaching swimmers.

Sources told the media outlet that authorities extracted the victim's head, chest and arms from the shark's stomach, while fishermen recovered the other half of his body from the sea.

The shark will be part of an exhibition in a museum (Marine Sciences and the Red Sea Reserves)

Meanwhile, a marine biologist has said the pregnant tiger shark is suspected to have killed twice last summer.

Russian marine biologist Dmitry Orlov - founder and CEO of RuDIVE company which operates in the Red Sea - suspects that the shark killed tourists twice last year, and was pregnant.

In July last year, 68-year-old Austrian tourist Elisabeth Sauer was snorkelling when she was attacked in the water.

The shark was pregnant, a marine biologist said (Marine Sciences and the Red Sea Reserves)

A second victim, a Romanian tourist, was eaten alive some 650ft away.

Orlov said: "I think that this tiger shark was pregnant. Last year there was a pregnant tiger shark.

‌"She became pregnant again, and since she cannot fully chase fish, for ordinary prey, she again came, remembering a place where there was easy prey."

Chiara Fiorillo