THE rotting remains of a mysterious creature that washed ashore on Membedai beach in Labuan yesterday has left fisheries and veterinary officials baffled.

A stunned jogger stumbled upon the 182cm carcass of the dolphin-like sea creature on the popular picnic coastline yesterday morning.

Veterinary Department Labuan director Dr Marysia James Abie said the cause of death could not be ascertained as the remains were already decomposed and the head crushed. 

“It was a juvenile creature that had been dead for more than 72 hours.

“I was quite surprised. This animal is rarely seen in our waters, so to see it dead on the beach is very sad,” she said.

She said based on preliminary investigations, they found no plastics inside the stomach and signs of physical injury.

“We are unable to determine whether the creature is a dolphin or a dugong (manatee),” she added.

Labuan Fisheries Department director Faizal Ibrahim Suhaili said: “We are still waiting for the full report from Veterinary Services Department on the findings, whether it died at sea earlier (and) whether the creature is a dolphin, but it is sad to see the creature lying dead on our beach,” he said.

The animal was later buried nearby.

Three dolphins were recently seen swimming off Rusukan Island waters, pictures of which were captured by tourists. – Bernama, April 18, 2019.