The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is aware of a walrus carcass that washed up on the beach in Point Lance.

Officials in the department say the remains are in a significant state of decomposition and it is difficult to determine the cause of death or whether it is the same animal that hauled in on the beach at Middle Cove in May.

The Middle Cove animal, which may have been the same one seen at Grate’s Cove earlier in the year, appeared to be emaciated.

Newfoundland was home to a population of southern walrus a few hundred years ago, but that population eventually died out.

Walrus are more common further north, but the massive animals are known to visit Newfoundland waters from time to time.