Huge, mysterious creature washes up on beach, but what is it?
An enormous sea creature washed up on an Indonesian beach stunned the local villagers who discovered it.
The Seram Island man, identified as Asrul, who found the 15-metre long creature in the Maluku province initially thought it was a washed up boat. Others proposed a humpback whale.
But it was later revealed to be a dead giant squid estimated to weigh more than 35 tons.
Asrul's images were posted to his friend's Facebook page to show off the find.
The unusual finding attracted scores of residents to Hulung Beach at Iha village in West Seram district.
The reason behind it washing up is still unknown but it's believed the squid was dead for at least three days before it was found.
Its discoloured skin is slowly turning the waters a disconcerting red as it disintegrates.
It has already started to decay with residents asking the government to help them remove it.
