DINAGAT ISLAND, Philippines (Reuters) — The remains of a large sea creature washed up on the shore in the Dinagat Islands, Philippines on Wednesday afternoon (February 23, 2017).
The unidentified creature, which measured 4.5 metres (15 feet) in length, surprised the local residents.
The carcass, believed to be that of a sea cow according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Manila, washed up on a beach in Barangay Poblacion, Cagadianao.
The creature was already in a state of advanced decomposition when found.
Teodoro L. Alipayo, who took these videos and pictures, told Reuters that a sample of the specimen has been taken to BFAR Manila for laboratory experimentation to determine the species and cause of death.
The carcass has a total length of 6.3 meters (20.6 feet), excluding the tail which is missing, and a total width of two meters (6.6 feet) from the dorsal to pectoral fin.
Alipayo said that the bones are being preserved as a memento of this rare event