Researchers have discovered that coyotes are responsible for decapitating seals along the Northern California coast.
The Noyo Center for Marine Science and a UC Santa Cruz student used camera traps to capture footage of coyotes beheading harbor seal pups.
This behavior is linked to the increased presence of coyotes in the area. (Trending: Democrat Targets U.S. Troops With New Gun Control Law)
Noyo Center for Marine Science’s Sarah Grimes, said, “It was so gruesome.”
“I was like marine mammal CSI, seeing all the dead pups with their heads torn off, and I’m like, ‘What the heck did that?’” she continued.
Scientists are investigating the predator-prey relationship and the nutritional reasons behind this behavior.
The seals affected are harbor seals, and ongoing research aims to understand the impact on the marine animal population.
Frankie Gerraty, a Ph.D. student, said, “We set up camera traps and got one really solid video of a coyote dragging a harbor seal pup and beheading it.”
“We are pretty confident there has been predation at four sites along the Northern California coast,” he continued.
“This really is nature’s balance,” said Grimes.
“The coyote is not a villain. It’s part of the ecosystem that has been missing for some years,” added the researcher.
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