18 February 2024 , 10:30
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A headless crocodile has mysteriously washed up on a tourist beach near a fancy hotel.
The reptile measured over two metres (6ft 6ins) in length and was spotted on the shoreline. Lifeguards, who were patrolling, came across the grim remains, which were in an advanced state of decomposition. The creature had also been decapitated.
It washed up near the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa in the Marina Vallarta area of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. It's unclear whether the crocodile had been beheaded by the propellers of a passing boat, or if the animal was deliberately attacked by someone before throwing its body into the river.
Patrolling lifeguards came across the grim remains of the creature (Jam Press)Environmental authorities arrived on the scene to dispose of the crocodile’s carcass and samples were taken to establish the animal’s exact cause of death.
Meanwhile, the Mirror reported earlier how a teenager who was left panicked after spotting a mysterious crocodile-like creature on his way to school. The school student, from Wales, couldn't believe his eyes after peering at the animal, which appeared to be part fish and part reptile.
Police shoot 13ft crocodile dead after it is caught aggressively stalking humans
His discovery went viral after his mother, Claire, posted pictures of the creature on social media - but more than a few people were left raising their eyebrows at what they saw.
Claire said: "My son found it on his way to school this morning. He facetimed me straight away," Claire said in her Facebook post from the time the discovery was made in 2020. "It was on the river bank, it looks like it's been put there intentionally or something like that. It was definitely real, it was smelling and starting to rot."
The animal, which is around two and a half feet in length and has a long nose with dozens of terrifying sharp teeth, was spotted by several other walkers on the towpath. While its species is shrouded in mystery, people on social media have been convinced it is an 'alligator gar' - a fish typically found in South America.
She added: "It's mad - a few people have been saying that it looks like a pike and others an alligator gar. I've looked it up online and it does look like an alligator gar."
At the time, the RSPCA said the "concerning" pictures suggest that the animal may have been abandoned after outgrowing its tank. Alligator gars are currently not allowed to be kept as pets in England and Wales.