[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Actually they do think it might have been stored for food but in that case it should have been packed around with salt and there should have been traces left.

It could have done something "heroic" pushed someone into shore or fought off a shark (are there sharks there? Probably) and died in the attempt.

Since it would have been regarded as a miracle giving it a Christian burial would have been regarded as the right thing to do.

[Scarlett156]

I almost mentioned that in my post - dolphins/porpoises are mentioned in classical literature as having helped people who were drowning, shipwrecked, etc.