Scientists identify strange white blob ‘monster’ that washed up on a beach in the Philippines
Government officials say they will preserve the bones of the creature 'as memento of this rare event'
THE mystery of the hairy blob-like monster which mysteriously washed up on the Philippines has been solved.
Gobsmacked locals rushed to take selfies with the 20 foot creature after it appeared on a beach in Cagdianao, the Dinagat Islands this week.
READ MORE: How the blob left us baffled
The pictures swiftly went viral, capturing the world's imagination.
Some speculated it was a sea cow, or a Dugong. Others said it looked suspiciously like an old English sheepdog.
But after an investigation on Thursday, Filipino officials revealed it is the carcass of a whale.
Weighing approximately 2,000 kilos, it's believed to have turned white due to decomposition.
The animal is thought to have died approximately two weeks ago.
Locals initially feared it had beached itself following an 6.5 earthquake which killed six on Sunday.
But scientists said it was likely hit by a ship.
The crack team of scientists and government officials spent Thursday analysing the carcass.
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They later released a statement, saying: "A report yesterday said the dead body of sea creature was believed to be a Sea Cow or Dugong but the team's finding is unanimous that it is a whale, or Balyena and confirmed also by the BFAR Personnel, but is uncertain as to what particular whale species due to its advance decomposition.
"In addition, BFAR- PDI send sample of specimen to BFAR Manila for laboratory examination to determine what kind of whale specie and the cause of death.
"The carcass has a total length of 6.3m excluding the tail which is missing and a total width of 2m from the dorsal to pectoral fins."
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