Horrified beachgoers find bodies of seals missing heads washed up around UK coast

Horrified beachgoers have been left in shock after finding decapitated seals with cut off flippers washing up on shores across the UK.  

The unexplained discoveries have sparked fears among nature lovers that people are killing and mutilating the marine creatures. 

Dead seals have been so far found on holiday beaches in the West Country, Norfolk and across the sea in Ireland and France. 

But some marine experts say it is not unusual for seals to wash ashore headless.

Due to the weight of the head and the neck being the weakest part of their bodies, seal carcasses are often headless if they have been tumbling around in the surf before washing up on beaches, they say.

Two were found decapitated in the last few days in Cornwall – on Sennen beach and Crantock beach – and others have been found on the coast in Norfolk and also on beaches Ireland and France.

A horrified local who found the dead seal at Crantock said ‘It was missing its head and flippers sadly.

‘The National Trust lady said that they have their rangers coming to collect it soon.’

But some marine experts say it is not unusual for seals to wash ashore headless. Pictured: A sandy beach in Cornwall 

Another resident said ‘I fell over two dead seals on Sennen beach. They were both decapitated.

‘I Facebooked it and someone mentioned that there was one also found on Sandy Cove with its head removed.

‘I think it would be good if people were aware that someone is going around removing the heads from seals.

‘One seal is random, two is beyond weird.’