Photographs by Norbert Wu

More leopard seals: leopard seals can have the playful demeanor of a very large Labrador retriever but always the fearsome possibility of a large pit bull.  We had several approach our inflatable Zodiac vessel.  They seem particularly drawn to the inflatable pontoons of such a boat, constantly biting the pontoons.  When a large one approaches, it can create a sizeable wake behind it.  These are the apex predators on this part of the world, with only orcas above them.  A leopard seal killed a researcher at a British sub-antarctic research station.  She died from drawning, and her depth gauge showed that the leopard seal dragged her down to 240 feet.  

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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
  • F_0123_ANP_20090206_0254
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, attacks other seals, penguins, known to attack humans, Antarctic Peninsula
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com