AS THE CLOCK has now struck 12pm, we can reveal (as if you did not already know) that our story about the shark being found in Sanders Park was complete fabrication in true April Fools Day tradition.
Thanks to all of you who read the piece, shared and commented on social media and generally joined in with the fun.
We’ll be back again this time next year in a bid to trick you again but, in case you missed it, the story is below.
EXCLUSIVE – ‘I found shark in Sanders Park’, says Bromsgrove man
A BROMSGROVE man has spoken of his shock after finding a shark in the pond at Sanders Park.
The fishing enthusiast was walking his dog Brody yesterday evening at the popular strolling spot when he saw a dorsal fin poking above the water in a scene that would not have looked out of place in the classic film ‘Jaws’.
Ralf Poloi told the Standard: “Me and Brody usually go out for a walk around 6pm but, after the clocks went forward on Sunday, I thought I would take advantage of the lighter nights so didn’t take him out until 8pm.
“We always go around the pondas it is quite peaceful and it helps me clear my head – I’m a keen angler and like to stop at the lake and watch the fish swimming about.
“Last night, when I took a look, I thought I was seeing things – the dorsal fin was above the water and then disappeared. As it submerged, I followed its path and then saw it again.”
Capture concerns
Ralf thought about going home to get his fishing rod and some bait to see if he could catch the shark but thought better of it.
He added: “It is not permitted to fish in Sanders Park and the only bait I could have feasibly used was some very expensive halibut my wife Christine had bought that was in the fridge.
“But, I know she’d got it for our romantic anniversary meal tonight (Tuesday, April 1) and she would’ve been livid that I had used it.
“I’d rather face a shark any day of the week than Chrissie when she’s in a bad mood – she would’ve savaged me for wrecking our romantic night in.”
Instead, Ralf phoned an animal charity which sent officers to the park who managed to capture the 3ft lemon shark.
‘Shark in the Park’
The creature, which is now undergoing checks to ensure it is in good health, has been named ‘Timothy’ by staff after Timothy Pope from popular children’s book ‘Shark in the Park’.
The book by Nick Sharratt centres on a young boy who, as the title suggests, keeps thinking he sees a shark in the park whilst looking through his telescope.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “We thought it was a hoax when we received Ralf’s call – it was the most foolish thing we had ever heard. Everyone was joking about the Nick Sharratt book.
“But, as with anything, you can never be too careful so we went to investigate.
“Lemon sharks are quite hardy and can live happily in captivity and in freshwater. But, they can also grow up to 11ft so we think this is a young one.
“We have no idea how Timothy got there. Some lemon sharks are kept in captivity so if someone has a large aquarium, maybe he was kept as an pet and grew bigger than the owner expected.
“We always urge people, when considering getting any exotic species, to do their research into exactly what they are letting themselves in for.
“It would have been a difficult task to get it to the park and into the lake without anyone seeing so that is the biggest mystery but somehow they managed it.”
He added the shark’s checks should be completed by mid-morning today, adding the charity would be giving an update on the situation and the plans for Timothy’s future at midday today (Tuesday).
