Sunseekers were left stunned after a massive jellyfish washed up on a popular tourist beach.
While jellyfish are a common sight in the Mediterranean, the enormous creature that appeared last week on El Castillo Beach in Fuengirola surprised even regular beachgoers with its colossal size.
Footage shared on Saturday (23 Aug) shows a bather using flip-flops to roll the giant jellyfish out of the shallows and onto the sand.
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Social media users were divided over whether he was doing the right thing, as reported by Need To Know.
Gema wrote: “Why are they taking it out? Just so it’ll die – how clueless! Humans are always messing up our ecosystem.”
Cristina added: “I think giant jellyfish are harmless – leave it alone.”
María José asked: “Why don’t they leave it in the water? That’s its natural habitat.”
Others defended the move.
Mouad said: “For those asking why they’re taking it out – jellyfish are venomous and can be particularly dangerous for kids.”
Elizabeth remarked: “Look at all the environmentalists here.
“Funny how after a concert or a few bonfires, the beach ends up a total mess – full of plastic that ends up in the habitat of these little creatures.
“Let’s not be hypocrites – we know how it is.”
The exact species of the jellyfish is unclear, but the largest in the Mediterranean is usually the barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo).
These creatures typically measure up to 40cm (16in) in diameter, but can exceptionally reach 150cm (59in) or more.
They are also found in British and Irish waters.
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