49 foot long dead squid washes up Indonesian beach

49-foot-long giant squid believed to have been dead for at least three days before washing up on shore

The carcass of a giant squid was discovered on the shores of Seram island in Maluko province of Indonesia, on Tuesday, local news daily Beritasatu reported.

The 49-foot-long sea creature was discovered by a resident identified as Asrul Tuanakota - who first mistook the animal for a stranded boat.



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According to Jakarta Globe, scores of people flocked to the Hulung Beach at Iha village, in Western Seram district, to catch a glimpse of the dead squid.



While the cause of death remains unknown, the sea-animal is believed to have been dead for at least three days before it washed up on the beach. Locals called for the government's help to remove the decaying remains of the squid, the newspaper added.

Giant squids can grow to a tremendous size due to deep-ocean gigantism. They are the second-largest mollusk and one of the largest of all extant invertebrates.

Remains of the squid. PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Earlier this year, more than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors.