THE CARCASS of what was at first suspected of being the legendary Beast of Exmoor is now widely thought to be that of a dead seal.

The body was discovered on Croyde Beach by a dog-walker last Tuesday, and initial police reports suggested the gruesome remains could have been those of the fabled beast.

However, following a media frenzy and a string of experts discussing the identity of the animal, it has been widely concluded to be the remains of a grey seal.

Even firm believers in the bizarre, the Woolsery-based Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), agree — despite early murmurings of a more significant find.

The CFZ even seized the skull of the animal to help their investigations, but finally succumbed to the grey seal theory following a detailed investigation.

John Downes from CFZ said: "The CFZ went out and got the skull, and will be keeping it in our museum because of the minor position which it will always hold in the history of cryptozoology."

Richard Sabin, curator of mammals at the Natural History Museum, officially confirmed it was a seal, and probably a grey seal.

Before it was confirmed last week several local experts had deemed the find a seal, but the Marine Conservation Society and the National Seal Sanctuary in Gweek had both said it was not a seal.

Sgt Jeff Pearce, who was one of the first officers on the scene of the find, said last week: "I've been talking to Dr Jean Luke Solandt of the Marine Conservation Society, and he has said it is definitely not a seal, but it could be a sea lion, and that in itself would be unusual as they don't live in our waters."

The resident vet at the National Seal Sanctuary has also said judging by the pictures it is not a seal.

But Braunton based zoologist, Ryan Holder, believed the animal to be a seal from the outset. He said: "Judging by the size of it from the picture and its dental formula it is probably a grey seal, which aren't particularly common off our coast, but a few do live here.

"It has a mammalian teeth structure, perfectly built for gripping fish and the spacing of the ribs and skeletal bones prove it to be marine dwelling."

Stephen Eddy of Exmoor Zoo said: "It's not a mermaid. My best guess and that of the curator of the zoo is a seal. Looking at its teeth and shape of limbs plus the fact it appears to be on a beach."