Tooth from ancient whale-eating megalodon shark stolen from World Heritage Site

The fossil comes from the megalodon species which died out 2.6 million years ago

An ancient great shark's tooth has been stolen from a world heritage site in Australia (WA Dept of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)

An ancient great shark’s tooth has been stolen from a world heritage Site in Australia.

The fossil, which was not available to be viewed by tourists, is believed to have come from the Megalodon species that died 2.6 million years ago.

The tooth is approximately 8cm long and went missing from an undisclosed location in a national park in Western Australia.

Authorities believe thieves intentionally targeted the tooth which is one of two Megalodon teeth located in the Unesco World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast.

"The worst part is they took the better specimen, which was not so well known," spokesperson Arvid Hogstrom told the BBC.

"Our staff had actually physically covered it up with natural features to make sure it was hidden."

It is thought the tooth was removed using either a chisel or a hammer – which would be a violation of conservation laws.

The Megalodon could grow to 18 metres in length and was a whale-eating species.

It weighed up 30 times more than great white sharks at approximately 100 tonnes.