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Trunko
Witnesses saw a massive white creature battle two orcas off the South African coast. It had white fur, a trunk, and a lobster-like tail. When it washed ashore, it measured 47 feet long. Before scientists arrived, it washed back out. Lost to the sea.
1924
Margate, South Africa
100+ witnesses
Trunko washed ashore and disappeared.
The Battle
October 1924:
- Off Margate beach
- Two orcas fighting
- Something large
- White-furred creature
- Witnesses watched
The Creature
What was seen:
- 47 feet long
- White fur covering
- Elephant-like trunk
- Lobster-like tail
- No blood when beached
The Beaching
On shore:
- Washed up
- 10 days on beach
- No one examined closely
- Photos taken
- Then washed away
The Photos
Evidence:
- 1924 photographs
- Rediscovered 2010
- Show large carcass
- White and furry
- Controversial
Modern Analysis
What it might have been:
- Decomposed whale
- “Globster” phenomenon
- Whale blubber
- Shark tissue
- But trunk?
The Mystery
Questions remain:
- What was the trunk?
- Why white fur?
- What fights orcas?
- Lost to science
- Never explained