Exclusive: Mystery surrounds the discovery of what appears to be a baby killer whale almost 3kms inland off the Donegal coastline.
The dead creature was discovered at Meenbanad near Burtonport.
The animal has the distinctive black and white markings of the whale but others claim it could be a species of dolphin with similar markings.
The creature has injuries to its head but it is not known how it died or how it ended up so far from the sea.
There are strong suspicions the whale was dumped in the area.
The area where the creature has been found in is known as The Leifin which has a council waterworks close-by.
Local woman Niamh Bonner, who came across the creature, told Donegal Daily people are baffled as to how the creature ended up in the hills.
“It is not like it is even beside a road and was dumped off a lorry.
“It had to be dragged there because it is about 100 yards off the road. But The Leifin is up in the hills about two miles from any coastline.
“It’s a bit of a mystery as to how it got there,” she said.
Dozens of people have been visiting the area where the whale was found earlier this week.
Photo shows the yard at Leffin, Co Donegal where the baby killer whale was located, some 3kms from the sea (in the background).