Dead Leopard Shark Pups Found on Torrey Pines Trail

Mysterious discovery raises concerns about illegal fishing activity in the area

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:51am

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A San Diego hiker discovered several dead leopard shark pups scattered along a trail near Black's Beach in Torrey Pines, prompting an investigation into the unusual and disturbing scene. Experts believe the pups were likely expelled from a pregnant female shark that was caught by a fisherman, raising concerns about potential illegal activity in the protected coastal area.

Why it matters

Leopard sharks are a protected species in California, and their populations have only recently recovered after decades of overfishing. This incident suggests there may still be issues with illegal poaching and harassment of these marine animals, which could threaten their continued recovery.

The details

Emily Dean, a local hiker, came across around half a dozen dead juvenile leopard sharks along the trail next to the Torrey Pines glider port last Sunday. The pups were found intact, partially covered in sand, with wet ground beneath them - indicating they had likely been expelled from a pregnant female shark. Marine biologist Chris Lowe believes a fisherman may have caught a pregnant leopard shark, causing her to abort her pups, which were then dumped on the trail.

  • The discovery was made last Sunday along the foot trail next to the glider port in Torrey Pines.
  • Leopard sharks typically give birth in shallow, warmer coastal waters this time of year.

The players

Emily Dean

A San Diego hiker who discovered the dead leopard shark pups on the trail near Black's Beach.

Chris Lowe

A marine biologist at Cal State Long Beach who provided expert analysis on the likely cause of the dead pups.

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What they’re saying

“It just really, really broke my heart.”

— Emily Dean

“Somebody caught a pregnant female and was carrying her up the hill as they were doing that. She was aborting the pups.”

— Chris Lowe, Marine Biologist

What’s next

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and local police are investigating the incident to determine if any illegal fishing activity occurred in the protected Torrey Pines coastal area.

The takeaway

This disturbing discovery highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable marine species like leopard sharks, even as their populations have started to rebound in recent years. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to prevent poaching and other harmful activities that could threaten the recovery of these important predators in the local ecosystem.