The damaged carcass of what researchers say is probably a giant squid, was found about 20 miles from the shore of Santa Cruz, Calif., the Santa Cruz (Calif.) Sentinel reported.

Researcher Sean Van Sommeran and a number of members of the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation found the remains of the squid in the water Wednesday.

Crew members said the carcass was being eaten by several seagulls when they came upon it.

"We were assuming there might still be a predator out there, so we made haste and brought the squid aboard," Van Sommeran told the newspaper.

The squid was transported to the Long Marine Lab in Santa Cruz for examination, researchers said.

Crew members said the squid appeared to weigh hundreds of pounds and had tentacles as big around as a person's leg.