Dead cattle have been found washed up on several beaches in the Las Palmas province of the Canary Islands during the past week.
Two carcasses were found along the Timanfaya coastline of Lanzarote, in the area of Playa de Las Malvas in Tinajo. Another two were spotted on Playa de Las Solapas in the Pájara region of Fuerteventura. A bull was also washed up on Playa de El Confital in the capital of Gran Canaria.
These cattle are estimated to weigh in the region of 600 kilos each. Given their size and difficulty with access to the locations, the carcasses were covered with quicklime and cremated in situ.
The cows are believed to have been disposed of from a passing ship after dying on board in order to prevent quarantine regulations. Identifying marks and tags have been removed from the animals before discarding them into the sea.