A large elephant seal that was spotted on a beach near a Mexican resort town could be the largest of its kind in the world today.

The male southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) reportedly measured three metres (10 feet) long and weighed approximately one tonne (2,200 lbs), with local media claiming it could be the biggest of its kind currently alive.

It was sighted on Las Conchas beach, near the Mexican resort and fishing town of Puerto Penasco, in the state of Sonora, in the Gulf of California, on Saturday, 8th April, at around 10am.

And Newsflash also obtained a statement from the Government of Puerto Penasco on Sunday, 9th April, saying: “This 8th April at 10am, a sea elephant was reported on Las Conchas beach, in Puerto Penasco, Sonora.

“The animal, measuring three metres long and weighing about a tonne, was sighted this morning on Las Conchas beach and during the day it has been advancing to the west of Puerto Penasco.”

The Mexican authorities added that the elephant seal is definitely the largest pinniped – seals – in the world today, and perhaps ever, saying: “It was a southern elephant seal or Mirounga leonina, the largest pinniped that exists today and, probably, also the largest that has existed in the history of planet Earth.”

The authorities added: “Sightings of this marine species are completely unusual on these coasts.”

This particular male elephant seal had reportedly been sighted a number of times over the last few months in the Gulf of California, prompting the authorities to issue some guidelines to the public.

The authorities reminded people not to approach seals that they come across on the beach and to remain at a distance of 15 metres (50 feet) from them.

They also reminded people that they are wild animals and should not be petted, saying that if they feel that their space has been invaded, they could attack.

The largest male southern elephant seal ever recorded was reportedly shot in the US state of Georgia over a century ago in 1913. It reportedly measured 6.85 metres (22.5 feet) long and was estimated to weigh 5,000 kilogrammes (11,000 lbs), according to Guinness World Records.