corkscrew seal deaths- hideous photo of dead seal:(

[whaleomeloette]

40 seals off the east cost of the uk have been found with 'corkscrew' wounds on them, which havent been caused by a prop, as that would have a chop chop cut pattern
what could be the cause?
scientists are baffled and have no a clue what could be the cause, submarines seem to be the theory most folk are throwing about

all i can say is poor seal!

[eeyore]

being tangled in a rope or net would be my guess - the spiral patern being caused by the cable wrapping arround the body.

[whaleomeloette]

Originally Posted by eeyore

being tangled in a rope or net would be my guess - the spiral patern being caused by the cable wrapping arround the body.

the scientists have ruled this out apparently, but its odd that all 40 seals have the *exact* same pattern which starts at the head- seems mechanical to me?
also it was caused by a blade they said- im trying to find a decent article but i can only find the daily mail

[Doggle Avaddit]

This kind of device might do similar damage. Don't know if submarines use anything like this.


Google Image Result for http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Archimedes-screw_two-screw-threads_3D-view_animated.gif

[whaleomeloette]

Originally Posted by Doggle Avaddit

This kind of device might do similar damage. Don't know if submarines use anything like this.


Google Image Result for http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Archimedes-screw_two-screw-threads_3D-view_animated.gif

yeah i would of thought something like that- but i dont know what would have them on in the sea
i hope it gets sorted for the poor seals sake whatever it is

edit- my chocolate fountain has one of these in the middle to bring the chocolate up, maybe its some kind of device used for moving liquids about. oil? or maybe some kind of giant drill bit.... for oil? oil is the only thing i can think of you would drill in the sea for

[eeyore]

Its clearly not a boat/ship prop, and british submarines use a screw or two that is basically the same as a ships propellor only smaller

Archimedes type screws would only be found on tunnel drive impellers , but afaik there are no ships/subs in service with those

edit : it cant be an oil drill bit - those go down inside a giant pipe so they are effectively guarded.

what about a turbine on a hydro plant or similar ?

[whaleomeloette]

Originally Posted by eeyore

edit : it cant be an oil drill bit - those go down inside a giant pipe so they are effectively guarded.
like my chocolate fountain

what about a turbine on a hydro plant or similar ?

i have no idea.. ill go have a google!

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by eeyore

Its clearly not a boat/ship prop, and british submarines use a screw or two that is basically the same as a ships propellor only smaller

Archimedes type screws would only be found on tunnel drive impellers , but afaik there are no ships/subs in service with those

Yet.


Might be some kind of Research and Development going on by somebody.

[whaleomeloette]

it has to be something shaped like this
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...w_animated.gif

that either drags the seal through the moving blades, or sucks the seal though the still blades to get that cork screw pattern. its so strange.

normal propeller damage looks like this btw (for those who dont know)
http://marinesciencetoday.com/wp-con...-photobank.jpg

[Wild-Woman]

Poor seals what an awful way to go. Do dredgers use equipment that could cause it?