Posted on 06/07/2013 3:02:12 AM PDT by lbryce
Beachgoers in New Zealand got a grim look at a toothy, emaciated carcass that washed ashore recently, prompting speculation that the rotting remains belonged to some sort of mysterious sea monster or pre-historic creature.
Beachgoers in New Zealand got a grim look at a toothy, emaciated carcass that washed ashore recently, prompting speculation that the rotting remains belonged to some sort of mysterious sea monster or pre-historic creature.
The creature was found by a group driving along the beach in four-wheeled vehicles along the Bay of Plenty near Pukehina, about 250 km (155 miles) southeast of the capital Auckland, Discovery News reported.
A YouTube video posted April 28 reports that the creature was found on the beach the week before. The YouTube user, Elizabeth Ann, wrote,
"This strange marine creature washed up dead on Pukehina Beach in the Bay of Plenty last week after some violent storms. Can anyone identify what it is? It is has a huge head and teeth with rudimentary flippers. It seems about 9M in length but the lower part of the body is probably mainly entrails from an attack."
After marine biologist Anton van Helden inspected the 9 meter ( 30-foot ) creature, he deflated the local's speculation that the carcass was from pre-history, local New Zealand news site Sun Live reported.
Based on an examination of the creature's flippers, van Helden determined the carcass belonged to an orca.
Killer whales, also referred to as orca, are common in the Bay of Plenty.
Discovery News reports that New Zealand, along with Canada, Florida and Newfoundland, are among the most common places in the world for such "sea monsters" to wash up.
Often the washed-up creatures are so badly decomposed that they bear no resemblance to any known animals, often prompting many people to think they have spotted a sea monster or some sort of dinosaur.
Based on an examination of the creature's flippers, van Helden determined the carcass belonged to an orca. It's rather obvious that it's not an orca despite what the marine biologist, who it seems received his degree via the "Online Marine Biology School for the Blind".
His explanation as to why it looks so much different, creepier, than your every day average Orca put the local beachgoers at ease as it makes complete and utter as to sense why an Orca would not look like an Orca at all but look like some prehistoric undersea predator, again a tribute to having learned about Marine Biology from the "Online Online Marine Biology School for the Blind". His common sense matter of of fact explanation: Often the washed-up creatures are so badly decomposed that they bear no resemblance to any known animals, often prompting many people to think they have spotted a sea monster or some sort of dinosaur.
Whatever you say, marine biologist. I would keep your seeing eye-dog away from the prehistoric undersea predator's jaws, if I were you.
PING
southeast of the capital Auckland, Discovery News reported.
_________________________________________
a little research and they would have discovered that the capital is WELLINGTON and not Auckland...
My link is wrong. Goes to a different story. Please use the one ‘carriage hill’ was extraordinarily considerate to post. Thank you very much
:)
Looks like an Orca to me...and very badly decomposed orca.
Could be.
HAS ANYONE SEEN HILLARY CLINTON LATELY??
(AP) Tragedy Strikes Beanyland. Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent, Dead.
“Looks like an Orca to me...and very badly decomposed Orca.”
They were mt firs thoughts too - teeth look very similar to an Orca/Killer Whale.
Hmmmmmm, how did it smell?? (I know: “It couldn’t smell anything. Its dead!” yuck yuck yuck)
I agree. In the photo in post 7, the teeth, and the general shape of the jaws and flippers, look to me like those of an orca. But then, I have only looked at that photo. Perhaps if I had watched a two and a half minute video, I would know more than a marine biologist who was actually there.
Bloated, ugly with a big mouth. Are they sure it isn’t just Rosie vacationing at the New Zealand beaches?
What points to it not being an orca?
My observation is that it is old and missing lots of teeth.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.