The deaths of six little fur seals in New Zealand, found without heads and fins on a beach, continue to puzzle. The responsible species protection authority ruled out after a long investigation including autopsy that the pups were killed by humans.
"We are very pleased that we were wrong in our initial assumptions and that no people are responsible," said authority chief Andy Thompson.
The animals were discovered late last year on a beach at Scenery Nook on the South Island of New Zealand. Their carcasses drifted without head and without fins in the shallow water. Otherwise, their bodies had no bites. How the cubs died, you still do not know.
50,000 fur seals in New Zealand
It is believed that they could have been killed by other fur seals - which, however, never happened in New Zealand. It is also possible that they fell victim to larger seals. However, there are hardly any larger animals near the site.
Game wardens had spoken in December of a "cruel and pointless" act. "Given the disturbing, brutal and violent nature of this crime, it was reported to the police," Thompson said. "We think it's unlikely that sharks bite off the heads of six seals and leave the bodies intact."
New Zealand's coasts are estimated to have more than 50,000 fur seals. They are under protection of species. In the past, their fur was traded at the highest prices and processed into expensive coats. The animals were close to extinction. The hunt for her is now forbidden.