Over the last few weeks a number of dead seals, some of which were decapitated, have washed up on the coast around Co. Waterford and Co. Wexford. See this report on Ireland’s Wildlife. Since October 2011, approximately 12 dead seals have been found in the Tramore Bay area, some with suspicious injuries. Two had to be put down after washing up with probable bullet wounds to the head. See an older report on BBC News.
Yesterday, January 4th 2013, there were reports of two additional seals washed up on the coast near Cheekpoint, Co. Waterford. Two were found on the strand at Cheekpoint today, Saturday January 5th. One of the seals (approximately 4ft long) was clearly decapitated, with a number of other injuries on its body. The second seal, a larger 6ft long male was intact but had large circular holes/injuries on its body. A local in the area who was concerned about the dead seals also said that a seal had washed up dead last week with a rope tied around its hind flippers.
While seals do die of natural causes and may accidentally become tangled in fishing nets, at least 15 seals have washed up in recent weeks raising suspicions of an illegal cull. However, some of the seals may have been reported multiple times due to the tides and bad weather washing up the same seals at different locations. Seals are protected under the Irish Wildlife Act, but as of yet, no formal investigation has looked into the seal deaths.
Reports of dead seals and photographs where possible should be sent to Johnny Woodlock of the Irish Seal Sanctuary jwoodlock@eircom.net.
Decapitated seal found on the coast near Cheekpoint, Co. Waterford (c) Andrew Harrington
The second dead seal found about five feet from the other dead seal. Photographed at Cheekpoint Co. Waterford (c) Andrew Harrington
