The great white shark, a formidable apex predator, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of our ocean ecosystems. Despite their portrayal as the "villain" in numerous Hollywood films, they are integral to the balance and biodiversity of marine life.

These colossal creatures may strike fear into many, but it's important to remember that they are powerful hunters in their natural habitat - the ocean. Encountering a shark is just one of many risks when humans venture into their territory.

However, a wildlife park is perhaps the last place you'd expect to come face-to-face with a great white.

Many aquariums and marine-themed parks house sea creatures captured or raised for public interaction and entertainment. There are ethical establishments, where the emphasis is on conservation, research, and rehabilitation.

Given that great whites are open-ocean predators requiring constant movement to breathe, they are not typically found in captivity. But there are always exceptions.

One such exception was Rosie, often referred to as the "ghost shark," who became a "haunting attraction" at Wildlife Wonderland, a sanctuary park in Australia. Rosie was, of course, dead when she arrived at the park.

Rosie met her untimely end after being caught in fishing nets. Her body was preserved in a glass tank filled with formaldehyde and put on display at the park in Bass, Victoria.

But Wildlife Wonderland was shut down in 2012 amid licence issues and animal welfare concerns, leaving Rosie forgotten in her tank.

In late 2018, YouTuber Luke McPherson shared a video which revealed Rosie's eerie presence after the content creator stumbled across her.

The footage sparked a wave of trespassers eager to glimpse the shark for themselves, with many going on to cause damage to her tank and surroundings. This led to safety risks and health concerns due to leaking preservation chemicals. Fortunately, Rosie was rescued and is now being restored at the Crystal World Exhibition Centre.

Emzotic, a content creator on Facebook, recently recounted Rosie's saga, complete with images of the once powerful shark. Em wrote: "People were horrified and captivated. Videos of her decaying tank circulated like urban legends. And just when it seemed like she'd be lost to time... Rosie was rescued.

"In 2019, she was transferred to a museum where she's now being cared for and respectfully restored and displayed. Her story is a strange blend of tragedy, fascination, and the powerful way animals continue to capture our hearts, even after death."

The comments section was flooded with opinions. One individual expressed sympathy, stating: "I always felt so bad for poor Rosie. And people breaking in and destroying her tank always hurt to hear about. I'm glad she's been moved and is now being taken care of".

A second person added humour to the mix with their comment: "The level of NOPE if I was in an abandoned park and found a mummy shark absolutely NOT we are LEAVING".