This instalment details how a strange series of seal mutilations baffled experts for over a decade. The discovery of the unlikely culprit turned marine biology on its head and changed an animal’s reputation for placidity forever.
A horrific set of mutilated seal corpses are washed up on a remote Atlantic island, disfigured in a way never seen before, with their hides torn off in a distinctive spiral pattern. What could be the cause of this maiming and killing?
After ten years of investigation into the bizarre turn of events, experts are still baffled as to the identity of what they have dubbed the ‘corkscrew killer’. When all other potential culprits have been ruled out, the only possibility remaining is the Greenland shark. However, everything that is known about the elusive animal rules it out as a suspect. Partially blind, this 20 foot monster stays deep under the water and is known as a sluggish, bottom-dwelling scavenger – so slow-moving in fact, it is often referred to as the ‘sleeper shark’.
But as the sea ice begins to form and the shocking seal mutilations increase, biologists are forced to re-examine their opinions about the mysterious fish. What they discover changes marine science forever. The unassuming Greenland shark, contrary to all existing evidence, is a highly effective and stealthy predator. But how does it hunt its prey, and why are the seal bodies mutilated in such an unusual pattern?
Comments (11)
over 1 year ago
'Shan
Amazing documentary..., the world has soo many mysterious creatures, I think we will never stop finding them.
over 1 year ago
Rich
A truly fascinating documentary, very well filmed and great inight.
over 1 year ago
Tim
It was a superb work until they moment when the film maker concluded it was the specific type of shark which was perpitrating the strange injuries.I dont buy the conclusion for one moment, the nature of the injury was so bizzare and clean, it seemed totally improbable IMHO that the shark could have done it. The filmaker would be well advised to research the UK livestock mutilation phenomena, theres no conclusion to that either!
over 1 year ago
Tom
Giant Squid, thats my guess lol
over 1 year ago
Malcolm57
Corkscrew cuts? Anyone suggested a boat?
over 1 year ago
Grant McNally
Whats the story Channel Five, I caught the start of this and was disappointed I was going to miss it, then remembered demand five - only to find it's not available- why advertise that people can catch up a limited number of programmes- or should I complain to Mr Desmond himself...
over 1 year ago
Charlie
yes i really want to watch this program too - i only caught the last 5 minutes!
over 1 year ago
Tammy
come on demand five can we have some reason for you not putting these doc's on i missed it and my mum told me about it and i really wanted to watch the seal ripper to understand what my mum was telling me !!! please put them on !!!
over 1 year ago
nicodemus
Yes indeed, come on demand five!
This comment was removed by a moderator
7 months ago
don
it was a greenland shark