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Scientists appeal for owner of USB stick discovered in year-old seal poo

Faeces comes under microscope in study of health of leopard seals  

Tuesday 05 February 2019 20:27 GMT
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Scientists release footage from USB stick found in leopard seal poo

Scientists are on the hunt for the owners of a USB stick full of photos and videos frozen in a "slab" of leopard seal poo for more than a year.

The slab of poo, which was collected at Oreti Beach on New Zealand’s South Island in November 2017 and then frozen for a year, was being used to study the health of leopard seals, researchers said.

While thawing out the "scat" sample, as it is scientifically known, scientists found a USB stick, which contained a number of holiday photos.

"We basically have to sift it. You put it under the cold tap, get all the gross stuff off, smoosh it around a bit and separate the bones, feathers, seaweed and other stuff," explained NIWA volunteer Jodie Warren.

It was while undergoing this sorting process that the team found something "large and hard".

The stick was in good condition, "considering where it had come from", and after leaving the stick to dry out for a few weeks, the team discovered files which may help to find the owner.

Researchers said there was a more serious side to the discovery, however.

"It is very worrying that these amazing Antarctic animals have plastic like this inside them," Ms Warren said.

The USB contained photos of sealions and a video of a mother sealion and her baby frolicking in shallow waters.

"The only clue to who might have taken them is the nose of a blue kayak," NIWA said, adding that the return of the USB stick comes with a price.

"The leopard seal researchers would like some more leopard seal scat please."

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Leopard seals are the second biggest seal species in the Antarctic, after the elephant seal, known for their spotted fur.

Growing up to 11 feet with inch-long canine teeth, the leopard seal's only natural predator is thought to be the killer whale.

Additional reporting from agencies

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