Killer grey seals suspected of claiming first dolphin in Welsh waters
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Marine investigators say the death may be linked to a group of grey seals operating between Wales and Devon.
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Killer grey seals suspected of claiming first dolphin in Welsh waters 3 hours ago Share Save Amy Mackrill BBC Wales Share Save The first suspected case of a grey seal killing a common dolphin has been recorded in Wales. The death of a short-beaked common dolphin found stranded on Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire in recent days may be linked to a group of grey seals operating in waters between Wales and the south-west coast of England, marine investigators say. Mat Westfield, Wales strandings co-ordinator at Marine Environmental Monitoring , said colleagues in north Devon had recently investigated similar incidents. "It's the first recorded case in Wales and because it's so close in distance to Devon we suspect that it's just a small population of grey seals that are doing this, and operating in that area," he said. This story includes an image some people might find upsetting Westfield said grey seals were known to occasionally prey on smaller harbour porpoises in Welsh waters, but there had not previously been a report involving common dolphins. He added that the dolphin, a 6ft (1.84m) long adult female, had suffered "corkscrew" injuries consistent with what is seen when a harbour porpoise has been attacked and killed by grey seals. "It had bite marks on the pectoral fins and around the edges of the torn blubber which are consistent with grey seal bite marks," he said. The dolphin carcass has been sent for further examination, although test results could take up to six months. Researchers will investigate whether it had any previous injuries or illness which may have made it more vulnerable to attack. 'Ambush attack' Grey seals typically feed on fish such as sand eels, cod and herring, as well as squid and crustaceans. Adult males can grow to more than 8ft (2.5m) in length and weigh over 660lb (300kg). Dr Izzy Langley, of the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews, said there was growing evidence grey seals prey on a wider range of marine mammals th...
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