Grey Seal Kills Common Dolphin in Wales

0:00On March 2nd, Marine experts in Wales have recorded what they believe is the first case of a gray seal killing a common dolphin. The six-foot-long adult female, washed up dead on Newgale Beach in Pemberchire. Her body showed deep bite marks and twisted wounds on the fins and blubber that match attacks by gray seals. This incident lines up with recent similar findings just across the border in Devon. Investigators point to a small group of these seals, patrolling the waters between whales and southwest England as the likely culprits. Gray seals mainly hunt fish like sandals, cod, and herring along with squid and crustaceans. Adult males can reach over 8 feet long and weigh more than 660 pounds. But evidence is building that certain males also target smaller sea mammals, including harbor purposes, and now, common dolphins. Researchers note this aggressive behavior seems limited to specific adult males, and might be something they learn through chance encounters. Seals could surprise fast-wimming dolphins with attacks from below, even if the dolphins

1:02are healthy. The dolphin carcass is heading for detailed tests that could take up to 6 months to reveal any underlying health issues. Meanwhile, scientists continue tracking these rare predator shifts to better understand marine interactions in coastal waters.