A strange sight has startled the residents of Riggins, Idaho, after an unfamiliar species 'washed up' on the banks of the Salmon River, leaving locals in a state of shock and confusion.
True to the reports, the creature in question indeed appears to be a salmon shark, a predator normally found only in the open ocean - Riggins is about 500 miles inland.
Salmon sharks can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
Their resemblance to a small great white shark means they can instill fear, but officials don't think Idaho residents are suddenly facing a new threat.
In a statement, Idaho Fish and Game said it assumed 'somebody dropped this on the shore for a good laugh' and that 'it would've been a great April Fools Joke'.
The salmon shark was discovered on the shores of the Salmon River in Riggins, Idaho.
Officials believe its presence in such an unusual location to be a prank
The salmon shark can reach lengths up to 10 feet and weigh nearly 1,000 pounds.
However, the average length is 6.5-8 feet
Riggins, Idaho, is a long way from a salmon shark's usual habitat.
The northern Pacific ocean is where the sharks usually call home - from the Sea of Japan to the Gulf of Alaska.
They are most frequently encountered in offshore waters, yet occasionally venture inshore beyond the breaker zone.
Although some salmon sharks do migrate towards Canada's west coast, they mainly remain within the confines of the Gulf of Alaska.
This makes the presence of a salmon shark in Idaho's Salmon River all the more perplexing.
An influx of salmon sharks would pose a greater threat to the fish in the river than the local community.
The Salmon River is a vital habitat for various fish, including Snake River sockeye and Snake River spring chinook.
Idaho's Salmon River is home to several fish such as salmon and walleye, but has never been a home for shark species
Walleye fish have experienced an increase in population over the years in the Salmon River
It's also known as a home for an increasing amount of walleye, which researchers recently said had been , one of the largest lakes in the state.
Additionally, the Salmon River plays a crucial role in the survival of bull trout, steelhead trout, and salmon - fish that would constitute a significant portion of a salmon shark's diet.
It is unknown how long the salmon shark spotted alongside the Salmon River had been dead for upon discovery.
Fishermen are allowed to catch salmon sharks, but overfishing is a concern, given their diet and the unfavorable reputation sharks often have.