Bizarre Mermaid Globster That Washed Up in Papua New Guinea Identified? Here’s What Experts Say

Last month, a mysterious mermaid globster washed up on a beach in Papua New Guinea. Experts spoke up about the possible identity of the bizarre creature.

Mysterious Mermaid Globster Identified?

Experts aren't sure about the identity of what appeared to be a mermaid globster that was found on Simberi Island, a small volcanic island in the Bismarck Sea in Papua New Guinea's New Ireland Province in September. However, it is generally agreed upon that it is some aquatic mammal.

Speculations have included several species of whales and dolphins, a "sea cow," and even a shark. However, because locals have already buried the cadaver, no one can be confident based on the images.

The almost mermaid-like globster that washed up on Simberi Island was missing most of its skull and vast portions of its skin. It is

Erich Hoyt, a researcher at the UK's Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity, suggested that the bizarre creature was a "long-dead dugong." He speculated that the sea creature had been dead for weeks or longer.

He added that a skull examination will verify the identity of the animal. He believed it would be a small whale - his second guest if it was not a dugong.

Jens Currie, chief scientist of the Pacific Whale Foundation in Hawaii, also believed it could be a sea cow, which is common in shallow water near Simberi Island. Additionally, he thought the amount of blubber was a giveaway that it was a marine mammal, not a shark.

Helene Marsh, an environmental scientist at James Cook University in Australia, agreed that the mysterious creature is a marine mammal. However, "after that, it is anyone's guess."

Sascha Hooker, a marine mammal expert at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, has a different opinion. In her opinion, it was a "very decomposed cetacean," suggesting that it could be a whale or dolphin.

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What Is a Globster?

Globster is a term that refers to an unidentified organic mass that washed up on a shore. It could be a blob-like creature without obvious eyes, bones, or a visibly distinct head.

The phrase is credited to British biologist Ivan Terence Sanderson by cryptozoologists. It is generally accepted that he came up with the term in 1962 to describe an odd Australian blob creature.

A globster was also found on a beach in the Philippines in 2018. Nicholas Higgs, deputy director of the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth, suggested that the creature could be a calf based on its size.

According to him, decay probably turned the magnificent creature into a globster.

"Gas buildup inside the body cavity causes bloating and distortion," he explained. "Various parts drop off or are scavenged by sharks as it floats around."