(Original headline: Animal carcass mystery deepens )
Mystery still surrounds the partial carcass of an unknown animal recovered from the coast near Carey Island here last Monday.
While certain quarters were convinced that the animal was a crocodile, a researcher from the Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Centre in Rantau Panjang, Terengganu ruled out that possibility.
More of the carcass was brought to Kampung Pengkalan Sungai Udang in Telok Gong by fishermen.
Centre research assistant officer Lateffah Sugito said the bone structure was inconsistent with that of crocodiles.
Some villagers were adamant the bones were of a dwarf crocodile (buaya katak) rather than its more common saltwater cousin, buaya tembaga.
However, even the diehards who believed the carcass was that of a crocodile were puzzled to discover bits of fur on the rotting flesh.
Villagers and officers from the Fisheries Department were astounded by the discovery of fur on the rotting flesh.
Lateffah said she believed the carcass was that of a marine mammal, noting that the only marine mammal with fur in Malaysian waters was the dugong.
But the skull of the animal, she pointed out, was inconsistent with that of a dugong.
Lateffah said the matter could only be laid to rest after more of the carcass was recovered.
"The carcass must be at least one month old for it to have deteriorated to such a state, and we can only hope the fishermen can salvage more bones so we can finally say for sure what this animal is," she said.
Meanwhile, the mysterious carcass continued to draw the attention of locals flocking to the area to have a look at it.
The carcass, estimated to be up to five metres long, was first spotted more than a week ago by fishermen who saw dozens of water monitor lizards feeding on it.
