The dead animal, which may be a dolphin. Madrid Police

A man who was out walking his dogs in Madrid’s Casa de Campo park made a bizarre discovery at around 3.30pm on Tuesday: the body of a cetacean, possibly a dolphin, in an advanced state of decomposition. The corpse was found lying next to a cycle path and wrapped in chicken wire.

The Madrid municipal police force is investigating the origins of the macabre discovery, but Madrid Zoo, which is located nearby, has already stated that it could not be one of their animals.

Madrid Zoo, which is located nearby, has already stated that it could not be one of their animals

Police sources have explained that the area where the animal was found can be accessed by motor vehicle. But authorities did not have much more information and advised caution.

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The body of the cetacean has been taken to Madrid City Hall’s Animal Protection Center for tests to be carried out. These will determine how many days the animal has been dead and exactly which species it is, although the evidence so far points to it being a dolphin.

Casa de Campo staff had no information about the discovery until they read about it in the media. “Nothing like this has ever been found in the park,” said manager Francisco Rodríguez Pachón.