Killer seals are eating dolphins off British coast with fears for human safety

Killer seals are eating dolphins off British coast with fears for human safetyWARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES Experts have warned swimmers about the dangers of male grey seals after observing a significant increase in attacks against dolphins in UK watersCommentsNewsGemma Strong Features Writer08:30, 18 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesA grey seal was photographed with a dolphin in its mouth off the coast of Dublin(Image: Jam Press/Irish Whale and Dolphin Group/Dave O’Connor)Grey seals are killing and eating dolphins in British waters - and experts have warned about the serious danger they also pose to humans, with bites that could result in amputation.‌In January, a common dolphin was pictured between the jaws of a grey seal in the Irish Sea just off the coast of Dublin, then in late February, the first dolphin killed by a grey seal in Welsh waters washed up on Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire.‌Marine investigators said the latter attack was likely linked to a group of grey seals operating in waters between Wales and the south-west coast of England. The dolphin's torso was flayed and bore distinctive corkscrew-shaped markings from where the deal tore off strips of blubber with its razor-sharp teeth.‌The incidents – which have also included two suspected dolphin attacks in Devon - have raised concerns for the safety of swimmers, with Cliff Benson, founder of Sea Trust Wales, among those highlighting the danger.READ MORE: Family forced to flee home after 'unknown beasts' left claw marks on wallsREAD MORE: Beautiful British spot where dogs could be 'lawfully shot'View 3 ImagesExperts from Marine Environmental Monitoring said the 6ft long adult female dolphin had suffered 'corkscrew' injuries consistent with grey seal bite marks"Half the people I know who work with seals have got bits of fingers missing," the 71-year-old told the Telegraph. "If you do get bitten by [a seal], the bacteria on their teeth are so bad it usually means amputation...