A juvenile thresher shark washed up on the Oregon Coast Wednesday afternoon, gathering curious onlookers to the beach in Manzanita.

The 9-foot-long creature, a female thought to be four or five years old, was reportedly alive when it came ashore, but died shortly thereafter, according to officials from the Seaside Aquarium.

While the animals are native to Oregon waters, they are more commonly found off the California coast. In the spring and summer, adults and young sharks move to waters close to shore to feed on herring,sardines and other small fish. They use their tail to beat the water, which can stun the fish, making them easier to catch. Thresher sharks can grow up to 20 feet long, but pose no risk to humans.

The shark that washed ashore Wednesday was the first of its species to beach in the region in at least 10 years, the aquarium said in a Facebook post.

Officials from the aquarium said the shark presents a rare opportunity.

“Whenever possible the aquarium will recover dead sharks that wash ashore and allowing students in local schools the chance to preform necropsies,” the aquarium said. “Though sad it is a great educational opportunity that they may not get otherwise.”

-- Kale Williams

kwilliams@oregonian.com

503-294-4048

@sfkale

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.