Antarctic scientist dies in seal attack

BBC ^ | 7/23/2003 | BBC

[francisr]

Antarctic scientist dies in seal attack

A British scientist has died in the Antarctic after being attacked by a leopard seal.

Kirsty Brown was snorkelling in waters close to the Rothera Research Station as part of her studies when the animal approached her and pulled her under.

Colleagues who witnessed the attack immediately launched a rescue boat to try to save her.

And although they managed to retrieve her body and begin resuscitation, the 28-year-old marine biologist could not be revived.

Quick response

The Cambridge-based British Antarctic Survey (Bas), which runs Rothera, said everyone connected with the organisation was shocked by what had happened.

Leopard seals can weigh from about 200 to more than 500 kg Bas director, Professor Chris Rapley, said: "This is tragic and shocking. My heart goes out to Kirsty's family and her colleagues at Rothera.

"Kirsty was a vibrant, dynamic individual, committed to her science and with a promising scientific career ahead of her.

"The Rothera team reacted in a highly efficient and professional manner of which we, and they, can be proud. They are, however, shaken by the loss of a colleague and will need our support."

Medical facilities

Leopard seals are often inquisitive when they encounter humans. However, they are not generally known to attack humans unless provoked.

Bas, which has launched an investigation into the incident, has been carrying out research involving snorkelling and diving for the last 30 years.

Ms Brown, whose parents live in West Sussex, was with her snorkelling "buddy" when the seal pulled her underwater.

Her research project involved looking at the impact of iceberg scouring on Antarctic near-shore marine animal communities. She was a qualified and experienced scientific diver.

Medical facilities at Rothera include a surgery with emergency facilities. There is a full-time doctor at the station to deal with general health care and emergencies.

Resuscitation efforts at the base were said to have lasted an hour.

[francisr]

due to global warming, the war, President Bush, no doubt

[speedy]

That's right, they'll say she was killed by the Presidential Seal.

[waverna]

ugh!

[RightWhale]

Wow! Two seal attacks in one day. Or maybe two threads.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Leopard seals are called that for reasons other than their spots, they are merciless predator killers. Don't dress up too look like a large penguin, play games, and beard those animals that kill them for a living.

[Pharmboy]

In the Natural History section of the Whaling Museum at Sandefjord are a number of exhibits covering most of the animals and birds to be found in the Antarctic. This is a very old specimen of a mounted, rather reptilian looking Hydrurga leptonyx, the Leopard Seal. The Leopard Seal In the Natural History section of the Whaling Museum at Sandefjord are a number of exhibits covering most of the animals and birds to be found in the Antarctic. This is a very old specimen of a mounted, rather reptilian looking Hydrurga leptonyx, the Leopard Seal.

Leopard Seals are solitary animals and very aggressive. After taking a look at these teeth, a museum specimen would be as near as any right-minded person would want to get to one of these animals. The females are much larger than the males, reaching a length of 4 metres.

From Here

[Caipirabob]

Leopard seals are known to be pretty viscious. Nasty incisors. NOT a pretty way to go.

[martin_fierro]

Groan. We have a winner.

[roderick]

Somehow I am reminded of Fawn Liebowitz, killed in a kiln explosion.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Somehow I am reminded of Fawn Liebowitz, killed in a kiln explosion.

I always thought it was "Vaughan". Whatever. Road trip!

[boris]

Needs to floss more.

[presidio9]

They eat other seals too. Isn't that what the greenies always say about shark attacks? The shark thought he was a seal? What if Mr. Leopard just made the same mistake?

[familyofman]

Sounds like payback time to me. Maybe the seals are tired of seeing their young clubbed to death.

[BlueLancer]

"Leopard seals are known to be pretty viscious. Nasty incisors. NOT a pretty way to go."

A Leøpård Sæl once bit my sister.
Mind you, Leøpård Sæl bites cån be nåsti.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Does this rival "the summer of the shark attacks?"

[Kenny Bunk]

I followed your Sister's Twisted singing career, and all I can say is that Leopard was lucky he was Deaf.