A man has been charged after a shark was snatched from a tank at a Texas aquarium and then smuggled out in a pram, according to local police.

The female grey horn shark, called Miss Helen, was soon recovered and returned to the San Antonio Aquarium after police tracked down the suspect's vehicle on Monday.

Officers said the suspect, who kept other marine animals in his garage, gave up the 16-inch shark when confronted at his home.

Leon Valley Police Chief, Joseph Salvaggio, said two other suspects, a man and a woman, are currently being questioned in connection with the theft.

He told local media he believed the shark had been stolen to replace one in the suspect’s collection that had died, rather than to be sold on.