Science

‘River Monsters’ Host and Other Experts Weigh in On East River Animal Carcass Identification

Animal Experts Share Thoughts on East River MonsterIdentification

"East River Monster" (Photo: Denise Ginley/Flickr)

On Wednesday, The Blaze alerted you to the strange animal carcass that washed ashore from New York’s East River over the weekend. Dubbed the “East River Monster,” speculation as to what the beast could be has ranged from a rodent to a pig to a dog with many more explanations in between.

Now, animal experts are weighing in, including Animal Planet’s “River Monsters” host Jeremy Wade. Wade, who is considered an expert on animals that are meant to be found in rivers, spoke with Gawker and said decisively “this is not a fish, which narrows it down a bit.” Here‘s more on Wade’s other thoughts:

From my previous incarnation as a biology teacher I can say it’s also not a pig: pigs have characteristic cloven feet, which this animal hasn’t got. The teeth also look wrong for a pig. From the picture it’s hard to get a sense of scale — some kind of rodent would be my guess, and it’s common for dead bodies to swell in water, which can give them a grotesque appearance, not to mention crabs etc partially eating soft parts of the face. Not to be ruled out, but unlikely in this case, is the assembly of hybrid animals by taxidermists, from bits of several unrelated creatures. This practice used to be popular in Japan, and I once saw a shrine dedicated to such an animal, not that I’m suggesting that should be the fate of this unfortunate beast.

Animal Experts Share Thoughts on East River MonsterIdentification

(Photo: Denise Ginley/Flickr)

Gothamist reported yesterday Cornell University naturalist professor Paul Curtis saying is appears to be a dog:

“The best guess looking at body conformation and dentition, is this was likely a small dog that drowned and has been floating in the river for quite a while. It is obviously bloated, and all the hair has slipped off the carcass. The Montauk monster that washed up on LI… that was determined to be a bloated raccoon carcass. The teeth in this case look more dog-like than raccoon-like to me. It’s tough to confirm the species from the photos without the jaw in hand to examine the teeth in detail.”

Gothamist also had Vickie Karp from New York‘s Parks Department clarifying the department’s initial statement that it actually “said it was a cooked pig and we disposed of it.“ It was originally reported that the department said ”it was a pig left over from a cookout.”

With no official, conclusive and agreed upon explanation yet, let the speculation continue.

The photos of the creature were taken by Denise Ginley, and more can be viewed on here.

Comments (115)

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  • linearnonlinear
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:21pm

    Looks like an Old Sewer Rat to me !

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:27pm

      @linearnonlinear

      Yep, just what I was thinking…. Nancy Pelosi.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • LetUsReason
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:48pm

      Is it weird to anyone else here that not a single soul has a firm answer on what this is??? The so-called experts say “well, it’s not a pig“ or ”looks like a bloated hairless dog”. Obviously, it’s not a pig. It’s also not a dog. Look at its feet again. Dogs have pads on the bottom of their feet. Has this guy never owned a dog? The closest thing I can see is a large rodent, but even that doesn’t seem to fit. The ears don’t look rat-like to me. Why not take DNA samples and compare it with all possible creatures? This is straight up bizarre.

      Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:17pm

      Bad things have been washing up on the shores of NY and New Jersey for a long time. Do some research on the government’s Plum Island facility. This creature is similar to the Montauk Monster which washed up in 2008. Some information below

      http://io9.com/5825955/what-is-going-on-at-the-plum-island-animal-disease-center

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • KeystoneState
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:10pm

      I wonder if it tastes as good cold?

      Report Post » KeystoneState  
    • Vader234
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:18pm

      Has anyone seen Michael Bloomberg recently?

      Report Post »  
    • Melika
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:20pm

      @ LetUsReason: It‘s only weird if you aren’t very familiar with anatomy. With a cursory look, many animals have similar features. These experts are being asked to guess what this animal is based on the photos, which is impossible given the degradation of the body. If someone took the carcass, stripped it, and then photographed the skeleton well, an expert could probably identify it immediately based on teeth and skeletal structure. As it is, there is nothing in the photos to help affix the size of it (like a ruler or other common item like someone’s I-pad) and there is no way to identify the skeletal structures accurately. The guy saying it looked like a dog is basing that only on the teeth. The feet could be that of a dog’s because the bone structure is similar to what is observable in the carcass, but I do think you are right in that there doesn’t appear to be predation on the feet, so there should be something left of the pad.
      Raccoons and dogs have similar teeth and based on the few teeth that can be seen, the shape of the feet, and the reported size, I think this was a young raccoon. But this is all conjecture until someone decides to take it in for a proper examination – or exam it themselves and post a video.
      As for all the conspiracy nuts out there – you are NUTS. Splicing DNA like you think is possible is Hollyweird crap. Try putting down the comic books down.

      Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:29pm

      CLICK ON THIS FOR THE ANSWER http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/winner-of-the-world-famous-25th-fotm-caption-contest/

      Report Post »  
    • oicu814me2
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:49pm

      its a raccoon..

      Report Post »  
    • DOra Glasberg
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:50pm

      It’s definitely a Free Range Chick-fil-A chicken that escaped.
      That sho‘ good eatin’!

      Report Post » DOra Glasberg  
    • Just_Us2
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:39pm

      FYI, do a quick google search on Dora Glasberg and you will quickly discover she is a DNC employee paid to solicit vitriolic comments by making obvious ignorant comments. She is a paid troll. Don’t feed the trolls please.

      Report Post »  
    • rickc34
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:37am

      Compare the skeleton and DNA to all known animals and liberals and see which one match’s . I’m betting on a close relative of Pelosi.

      Report Post »  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 1:17pm

      Anyone consider ground hog or wessel?I see similarity to both.I discounted a opossum.The jaw isn’t narrow enough and the teeth on the top are too boxy.Oddly the bottom teeth are a little like a opossum or dog though.Badger?It would have drifted from the Canadian Provinces or upper Main.They are usually larger than this, though could be a young one.

      Report Post »  
  • oicu814me2
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:14pm

    its a raccoon. case closed

    Report Post »  
  • Evomr
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:11pm

    Chupacabra,

    The Chupacabra or Chupacabras (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃupaˈkaβɾa], from chupar “to suck” and cabra “goat”, literally “goat sucker”) is a legendary cryptid rumored to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico, where these sightings were first reported, Mexico, and the United States, especially in the latter’s Latin American communities.[1] The name comes from the animal’s reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, especially goats.

    Report Post »  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:04pm

    Whatever it is, you can bet it will be voting Democrat in November.

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
  • gunpakngopr
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:03pm

    Nutrias from South America ? We have them here in coastal North Carolina. Heck might as well, It enough Latinos here to invade Mexico city.

    Report Post » gunpakngopr  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:03pm

    Debbie Wasserman Shultz

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • Mr.Fitnah
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:42pm

      I have to agree, the ramen noodles fell off but It looks like it.

      Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • standuppeople
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:57pm

    Nutria.

    Report Post »  
  • SREGN
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:53pm

    It‘s Kramer’s Pig Man.

    Report Post »  
  • DAYWATCHER
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:34pm

    My daughter told me she thinks its a GAINT NAKED MOLE RAT !!!

    Hummmm…. Could be…. ??? ….It does look to be naked…. !!… humm….. YEP … GAINT NAKED MOLE RAT…. Sounds like a winner to me!

    I’m just saying….

    Report Post » DAYWATCHER  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:33pm

    Whatever it was, I’m sure it stinks.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • JohnnyRaven
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:30pm

    This is old, old news. Why is it being posted?

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Frankly? I could care less! Off to the next “enquirer story”! Oops, you mean I am still on the Blaze? Wow, such hard hitting news amazes me!! What’s coming next more bigfoot or “nessie” the loch ness monster ones? Levity is lost on me when our country is spiraling down and the White House has YET to be served impeachment papers!!

    http://cfif.org/v/index.php/commentary/54-state-of-affairs/1512-obamas-welfare-abuses-from-worse-to-worst

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Mandors
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:25pm

    It’s a Tasmanian Devil.

    How it got there, I have no idea.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • PingPongPing
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:24pm

    i guess it must be a dog.
    and i am pretty sure Obama would like to have some of that… LOL

    Report Post » PingPongPing  
  • MeteoricLimbo
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:24pm

    Looks like dog teeth to me, the digits are a little worse for the wear.

    Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:15pm

    First victim of obamacare ..

    Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:15pm

    Comrades, it is a liberal! In NYC what else could it be besides ugly and brain dead!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:12pm

    Chupacabra – Democrat N.Y.

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
  • RRFlyer
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:10pm

    Good gosh, has no one seen dead animals before? What’s wrong with the world that everything is a conspiracy

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:06pm

    That thing was not a pig. or a dog. I don’t know what it is but it is not natural design. Someone posted about Plum Island and some of the questionable things that go on there. Do some research yourselves but remember……..if a person has thought about something, scientists have tried to do it.

    Report Post »  
    • The0bserver
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:15pm

      The consensus so far is that it is a raccoon or a pit bull.

      Report Post »  
    • Ronald Wilson
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:19pm

      Check out google and youtube on this, it just happens to be close to where it was found :
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_Island_Animal_Disease_Center

      Report Post » Ronald Wilson  
    • Canyouhearus
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:28pm

      Not a dog or any animal we are accustomed to seeing. Look at the “hands and feet.” They appear to be more human than animal with fingers on the hands and the foot has actual heels! Not animal…but really not human either. Apes have actual fingers but what other animal this size has both hands and human type feet? Lower jaw appear canine appearing. Hmmm? Rather frightening thoughts come to mind seeing this thing.

      Report Post »  
  • Frameman
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:04pm

    If obama had a demon seed it would look like this. Oh wait…….

    Report Post »  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:02pm

    “You mean R.O.U.S’s? Rodents of Unusual Size? I don’t think they exist.”

    Report Post »  
  • The0bserver
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:02pm

    It’s Rosanne Barr. Here’s the proof:
    Go to:
    http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2012/07/25/roseanne-wishes-cancer-chick-fil-a

    Search for user: BahiaBob
    He’s got a picture of it alive.

    Report Post »  
  • pap pap
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:00pm

    Sure is ugly but was probably a cute dog at one time.

    Report Post »  
  • BigSky
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 12:59pm

    To whom it concerns, since it’s a slow news day at The Blaze someone tell the webmaster at GBTV to fix that login link at GBTV. Keep getting a “Service unavailable” page when trying to login. It’s been that way since yesterday afternoon.

    Report Post » BigSky  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:03pm

      Also can they see about fixing the comments section for each story where people want to post; it is becoming more and more difficult to do so for several days now – I have had to log in and then log out with each story I want to reply to.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:06pm

      @BigSky

      I just logged on OK. It might be something on your side?

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:07pm

      Hi Snow,

      I’m not having those issues here.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:10pm

      Wow, and I thought the comment problems were with my computer alone…

      Report Post »  
    • BigSky
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:10pm

      @The-Monk: Perhaps you haven’t cleared your browser cookies.

      Report Post » BigSky  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:11pm

      @ BigSky and Snow,

      What browser are you guys using?

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • The0bserver
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:12pm

      snowleopard, it might be your PC. Clean out your internet cache, and empty your temp folder, reboot. Might want to run some anti-malware apps, too.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:15pm

      @BigSky

      I don’t let my browser (Firefox) save coolies, history or anything else. I’m not having any issues, I thought you were.

      I was able to log on to GBTV with no problems.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • MeteoricLimbo
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:26pm

      @monk
      Likewise here, no issues……yet

      Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:41pm

      Strange happenings have been going on since the FBI switched on that uninfected server.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:44pm

      @Monk: IE, I will try to use Foxfire and see what happens.

      @Observer: already done that, twice.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:47pm

      No go, on Glennbeck.com I try to comment on the stories and still have to do a login/logout between each posting. Its been this way for a couple of days now on their site.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:29pm

      Hi Snow,

      Try updating Adobe Flash. Here’s the link; Also, uncheck the box to install any 3rd party free software before downloading and installing Flash.

      http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • BigSky
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:00pm

      @The-Monk: Using Firefox 14.0 on Mac OS X. Safari is also showing this issue. when I got to http://web.gbtv.com/index.jsp and click the login button up top, I get the “Service Unavailable” error. I have no problems posting here. Never have. This problem with the GBTV login has started yesterday and I didn’t add anything or change anything. I’m a GBTV Plus subscriber.

      Report Post » BigSky  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:05pm

      See my post above I to was having problems with both sites however I use 4 different OS’s and my Fedora system is working fine.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
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