Photographs by Norbert Wu

Leopard seals can reach 16 feet in length and are ferocious predators.  They attack other seals routinely and prey on penguins often.  They ambush penguins near rookeries, only in water, then flay the penguins by violently splashing their bodies back and forth on the water's surface.  

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  • leopard seals ambush penguins, flay them by slapping them on the water, Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station, January 2009
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seals ambush penguins, flay them by slapping them on the water, Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station, January 2009
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seals ambush penguins, flay them by slapping them on the water, Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station, January 2009
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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 seals ambush penguins, flay them by slapping them on the water, Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station, January 2009
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seals ambush penguins, flay them by slapping them on the water, Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station, January 2009
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seals ambush penguins, flay them by slapping them on the water, Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station, January 2009
  • |
  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com
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  • leopard seals ambush penguins, flay them by slapping them on the water, Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station, January 2009
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  • © Norbert Wu, www.norbertwu.com