A strange half-alligator half-fish creature has sparked concern from the RSPCA after washing up on a British footpath, leaving locals stunned.
Caroline Brown, 51, was out walking her dog along the canal in Risca, south Wales, when she made the discovery, stumbling across the bizarre creature - which is thought to be an alligator gar, an aquatic animal that can grow up to 10ft in length and is usually found 4,800 miles away, in America.
It's not known how the carcass ended up on the banks of a Welsh canal, surprising Brown with its long snout and set of razor-sharp teeth.
Speaking about her find, Brown said: "It was a really strange looking thing and it scared me at first as I didn't know if it was alive.
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"I've never seen anything like it before and even my dog Molly didn't want to approach it.
"As I got closer I realised there was a smell coming from it and I knew it was definitely dead.
"I've got no idea how anything like that would turn up in these parts."
Many other locals have also since spotted the creature, posting pictures of it on social media - certainly a bit more exciting than photos of people's brunch, isn't it?
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One of those to make the discovery was a teenage boy on his way to school, who was so shocked he immediately video-called his mum to show her what he'd found.
A spokesman for the RSPCA said they welcomed any help validating the photos, and expressed concern that it may have been an abandoned exotic pet.
They said: "These are very concerning images.
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"RSPCA Cymru would welcome any information as to the validity of these photographs which appear to show an alligator gar fish dumped on the side of the road.
"This is likely to have been a very distressing discovery for a member of the public to make and we'd urge anyone with detail which may explain the circumstances behind this animal being dumped to contact us.
"There have been restrictions on the keeping of alligator gar fish in Wales for a number of years and these would be very difficult animals to keep successfully as they can grow to be very large and their needs are the same as they would be in the wild.
"Sadly, we all too often see exotic pets abandoned when it hasn't been possible to meet their welfare needs."
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Featured Image Credit: Media Wales
Topics: UK News, News, Animals, Wales