Witnessing a Seal Necropsy

While working in the Barrow Alaska Research Center (BARC) today, I was able to witness part of a seal necropsy. The scientist that was performing the procedure was cataloging the animal for later study. It is part of a study on communicable diseases in marine mammals. In particular, she is studying sicknesses that can be passed from animal to human and vice-versa, similar to the swine or avian flu.

The procedure was pretty far along by the time we were invited in. I will warn you if you have a weak stomach, do NOT view the pictures in this post. There are some raw pictures, but it doesn’t come close to being there and smelling it. Shortly after the necropsy, we went to the cafeteria for dinner. I passed on the fish that was offered.