A nearly 3,500 pound great white shark, with a Twitter following of more than 129,000, has vanished from researchers' view. Mary Lee's tracker has not pinged since June 17th off the coast of New Jersey. Mary Lee has been the darling of the East Coast since she was tagged off Cape Cod in 2012, then turned up near Isle of Palms two months later.She’s foraged much of the Atlantic but has continued to return to Lowcountry waters for what researchers guess is a rich supply of fish around the state’s many inlets.Fans of the great white have taken to Twitter, expressing concern for the 16 foot long shark."Witness protection program? Ran away from home? Wherever you are Mary Lee, please be safe and come home soon!," one user said. "Mary lee you are the matriarch of all this research please just be on vacation!!!!" said another. Officials with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resource say in all likelihood, the batteries on Mary Lee's transmitter have simply gone dark. The Post and Courier reports the types of battery used on her transmitter typically has a life-span of three years. Officials say if you spot a large great white off the east coast, it could be Mary Lee. Sightings should be reported to OCEARCH , a nonprofit dedicated to studying great whites and other large marine species.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A nearly 3,500 pound great white shark, with a Twitter following of more than 129,000, has vanished from researchers' view.
's tracker has not pinged since June 17th off the coast of New Jersey. Mary Lee has been the darling of the East Coast since she was tagged off Cape Cod in 2012, then turned up near Isle of Palms two months later.
She’s foraged much of the Atlantic but has continued to return to Lowcountry waters for what researchers guess is a rich supply of fish around the state’s many inlets.
Fans of the great white have taken to Twitter, expressing concern for the 16 foot long shark.
"Witness protection program? Ran away from home? Wherever you are Mary Lee, please be safe and come home soon!," one user .
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"Mary lee you are the matriarch of all this research please just be on vacation!!!!" another.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resource say in all likelihood, the batteries on Mary Lee's transmitter have simply gone dark. The Post and Courier reports the types of battery used on her transmitter typically has a life-span of three years.
Officials say if you spot a large great white off the east coast, it could be Mary Lee. Sightings should be reported to , a nonprofit dedicated to studying great whites and other large marine species.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
