Two-Headed Dolphin: ‘Very Rare’ Sight Washed Up On Turkey Beach Shore [PHOTOS]

Two-headed dolphin found last week was found dead on a beach in Turkey, reports local media. As such, the extremely rare occurrence of the two-headed dolphin has drawn interest from marine biologists and on social media. According to the biologists, such an animal is a rare find and something worth studying, though its whereabouts are unknown up to now.

According to the private Dogan news agency, the two-headed dolphin has been discovered on a beach in Dikili, near the Aegean city of Izmir last week.

The two-headed dolphin was reportedly found by a gym teacher named Tugrul Metin. Metin was holidaying in the area when he made the discovery of the two-headed dolphin.

Because of the bizarre find, photos taken by Metin of the two-headed dolphin have instantly gone viral on social on Monday.

According to Daily Mail, Metin said upon witnessing the two-headed dolphin, 'I couldn't take it in at first. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I've never even heard about a dolphin like this let alone seen one with my own eyes. I was completely shocked.'

Now, IBTimes reports that a university in Antalya would like to display the carcass of the two-headed dolphin in its museum. However, according to the Associated Press, it still cannot locate the remains of the two-headed dolphin.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Marine biologist Mehmet Gokoglu at Akdeniz University said on Tuesday that upon seeing photos of the two-headed dolphin, he supposes the mammal to be conjoined dolphins.

Gokoglu was also quoted as saying that the two-headed dolphin was a rare occurrence, similar to conjoined twins.

Meanwhile, Gokoglu is insisting that his university has no idea of the whereabouts of the dead two-headed dolphin, despite initial reports that its body had been taken to a nearby laboratory for analysis.

Gokoglu denied media reports that his university in Antalya, southern Turkey, is studying the remains. However, he added that the university would still like to display the two-headed dolphin if located.

Gokoglu said, 'Such a dolphin is a very rare occurrence -- similar to the occurrence of conjoined human twins.'

According to the Telegraph, the two-headed dolphin is believed to be a 1-year-old calf, measuring around 3.2 feet.

Though multiple heads in animals, such as this two-headed dolphin, may be extremely rare, but it is reportedly not unheard of. Known as a condition called polycephaly, it occurs most commonly among tortoises and snakes, but it has witnessed in fish and mammals, like the recent this two-headed dolphin spotted in Turkey.

A two-headed bull shark was discovered in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011. Researchers also discovered a two-headed ray fetus last year in Australia, reports the IBTimes.

The Independent reported that in March, a two-headed shark had been discovered by fishermen in the Florida Keys.

Despite appearing to be fascinating, polycephalic animals, such as the two-headed dolphin, are reportedly less likely to survive in the wild and well into adulthood. Researcher Andrew Khund said the reason behind this is a delayed reaction to danger.

Two-headed dolphin, or any two-headed animal, may most likely be the main course for predators in the wild.

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Animals