A 14-foot great hammerhead shark washed ashore on the north end of Carolina Beach, North Carolina , on Sunday. According to the North Carolina Shark Conservancy, the female shark was first reported through the organization’s hotline around 3 a.m. after locals spotted the animal in the surf multiple times. ( North Carolina Shark Conservancy / FOX Weather)The agency sent volunteers to the beach to collect measurements, photographs and biological samples for genetic research and educational purposes. The North Carolina Shark Conservancy said that due to the shark’s size, volunteers worked with multiple agencies, including the Carolina Beach Fire Department and the Carolina Beach Police Department, to safely handle the animal’s removal and disposal. ATLANTIC SHARK INSTITUTE TAGS ITS FIRST-EVER HAMMERHEAD SHARK OFF COAST OF RHODE ISLANDGreat hammerhead sharks are the largest species of hammerhead sharks and belong to the family Sphyrnidae, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.