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Incredible Photo Captures the Last Moment of a Penguin’s Life Before It’s Snapped Up By a Seal

Jan. 26, 2013 3:01pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Credit: Amos Nachoum/Amos Photography

It’s the circle of life. And, for underwater wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum, his job to capture it.

His incredible image of a leopard seal preparing to devour a young penguin in Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsula was taken in 2009 but was recently awarded “Best in Show” for 2012 by the American Photographic Artists.

Nachoum, 63, told the Telegraph leopard seals wait in shallow water, pretending to be rocks with their heads just above the water, until an unwitting penguin gets too close.

“Young penguins go to the shallow water to play and they are not familiar with the leopard seals’ ambushing act,” he said.

(h/t ABC News)

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Comments (133)

AmericanStrega
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:26pm
What do you all think that penguin’s last thought was?

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- johnsell
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:42pm
  Is this what those Conservatives were trying to tell us about Obama and the Progressive Movement…..?
  
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- Armed Patriot
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:50pm
  oooooooooooooh SHIITE!!!
  
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- Fecal_Matters
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:03pm
  Need to ban seals now…they are dangerous
  
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- burnteye86
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:12pm
  Mama told me not to come
  
  Report this comment
- AmericanStrega
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:19pm
  Hah! Thanks for replying. My thought was “REVERSE ALL ENGINES!”
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:39pm
  “I wonder what’s in that cave?”
  
  Report this comment
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:47pm
  There is no doubt in my mind after seeing that photo that the seal is the decendant of Diplodicus. No question whatsoever. Diplodicus became the seal. Just look at it.
  
  Report this comment
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:51pm
  Correction-Plesiosaur
  My mistake.
  
  Report this comment
- ashestoashes
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 7:00pm
  @MILDOT…I don’t know what creature you are talking about..but it definitely looks like a prehistoric animal..Wicked looking..
  
  Report this comment
- Bro. Chuck
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 9:15pm
  I wonder if he knew the squirrel?
  
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- iStutter
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 9:43pm
  Pinocchio, is that you?!?
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 10:06pm
  Is my mommy in there?
  
  Report this comment
- BlazingPatriot
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 10:51pm
  Holy Cow, Batman!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Kaoscontrol
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 11:06pm
  Penguin: “So glad I wore my Tux for dinner…”
  
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- GRINTSUM
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:06am
  That’s easy. His last thought was, “What the…”
  
  Report this comment
- Obama_In_PeePee_Is_Becks_Art
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:22am
  “Incredible Photo Captures the Last Moment of a Penguin’s Life Before It’s Snapped Up By a Seal”
  
  Now, you see? This is how misleading titles completely distort the story.
  
  The truth is … Finnious Penguin, D.D.S., is examining patient Celine Seal’s complaint of tooth pain — clearly related to a brushing issue. (Dr. Penguin later noted, after a closer look, it was a minor problem and schedule another appointment for a filling.)
  
  Report this comment
- 4xeverything
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 3:37am
  And they tried to make us feel bad for clubbing them, huh…
  
  Report this comment
- Taurnil
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 6:37am
  Its Bush’s fault.
  
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- Crazy Times
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 7:56am
  Last thoughts?
  I hope I come back a seal pocher in my next life….
  
  Report this comment
- comstox
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 7:58am
  Maybe the penguin is the seal’s dental hygienist? “Mr. Penguin, you really need to floss more often.”
  
  Report this comment
- Bombgod1
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 8:07am
  I wish they were still clubbing baby seals…
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 8:59am
  Penguins do NOT have a “middle-finger”! :>)
  
  Report this comment
- HappyConservative
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 9:06am
  Penguin. Tastes like chicken.
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck Gallup
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 10:11am
  “We Have to Vote For The Seal First To Find Out Whats Inside the Seal!”
  
  Report this comment
- ExtremeRight
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 10:28am
  News must be slow these days.. This is what they are purring up at the Blaze.
  
  Report this comment
- wisehiney
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 10:35am
  “All because of that eternal ammo backlog!”
  
  Report this comment
- GumRock
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:14pm
  I Don’t Believe that the penguin got eaten.
  nothing in this picture suggests he did , as far as i can tell the little guy was making a fast turn and the Seal Missed. the person taking the photo Lied !
  normally this would be a So-so picture , but the person taking it made up a Nice story to go with it and it won them a ” Best in show” from American Photographic Artists.
  but lets Milk this for all its worth ! Spin? Global Warming caused this due to a .0001 degree water temperature change..
  this is a clear attempt to cause division between big fat cats and the lesser among us.
  ohhh lets push for friggen Gun control ! its Obvious we should all only have one government issued bullet in out guns then this would never happen again … Ohh Wait ,
  i got it ,, why should that big seal get to eat ALL of that meal .. lets Chop em up and feed All the seals an equal portion , that sounds Fair and it will solve all the worlds problems !
  
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- DenverKitty
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:36pm
  Momma!
  
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- Honestybefore truth
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 4:15pm
  Along the Same Vein: “This is what compromising with the Left looks like.”
  
  Report this comment
- bumpkin
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 5:15pm
  Johnsell LOVE it! -I love ALL truth. Several thoughts banged around in my head when I saw the photo: “Survival of the strongest and most aggressive.” “You can see the energy drop out of the penguin when he saw his ‘Jaws’ attacking.” (Its an interesting phenomenon-giving up) and next: “OHMIGOSH! I had NO idea that Sir Seal had such awful-looking teeth! EEK!” -And, finally, “Exactly like the ONE World Government, which is planned to be Evil Communism, mercilessly snapping-up the free, innocent-but-little people, in order to devour freedom and vulgarly dominate the WORLD!” ( -Innocent, harmless little penguin, being fed upon by the now-fashionable but hateful communist seal.) Who shall eventually dominate and populate the world? Do you think it will be maybe the aggressive, attacking LIONS, or the TIGERS, or the busy little, non-aggressive COCKROACH? Everyone has such a nasty opinion of the cockroach, but if people were clean, and didn’t leave food crumbs and trash around, they would never have become so insidious.
  
  Report this comment
- bkbobo
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 12:17pm
  Maybe it was a planned attack, maybe the seal was just out for a swim. We have billions of penguins dead, at this point, does it really matter?
  
  Report this comment
- Touche Turtle
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:56am
  My, what big TEETH you have!!!!!
  
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Akridgerunner
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:15pm
I’ve seen a lot of leopard seals in Antarctica, watched them eat crabeater seals, sleep on ice flows, etc. I’ve also seen millions of penquins in the water where they are like little rockets as they “fly” through the water. This one looks like a dead one that was thrown into the water, not like a live one that is swimming around…not at all. I think this picture is a fraud.

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- OBAMANATIONOFDESOLATION
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 8:17pm
  I would have to agree with you, no cavitation or bubbles, looks unhealthy too.
  
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- RaydocX
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 9:16pm
  i was thinking the same thing… maybe not a plant, but natural death, with the feathers mussed, no movement, a bit rigorous…
  
  considering every other award winner in America is being brought down for cheating, why should photography be any different…
  
  Report this comment
- UNALIEN
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 8:58am
  I think you are correct, after a forensic analysis of the Penguin image there are some air bubble on the back of the neck suggesting it went straight down in that position, combined with the unnatural appearance, the Penguin looks to have been dropped from the surface dead.
  
  Report this comment
- billjac
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 9:51am
  Have to agree. My first thought was how shrunken and sickly the penguin looked. It doesn’t appear to be working it’s flippers to propel itself either. Good call. Wonder if the picture judges even cared.
  
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- Sags
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 11:43pm
  Yes, the penguin was dead before the seal got him. (was an adolescent that drowned)
  No, it is not a fraud, as the photographer stated that in his submission. It is the Blaze that posted a misleading headline, the photographer was perfectly honest. http://www.nwf.org/news-and-magazines/national-wildlife/photozone/archives/2012/2012-photo-contest-winners-print.aspx
  
  Report this comment
- RedManBlueState
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 11:42am
  Someone has to say it….
  
  It’s a fake! You can tell by the shadows!
  
  Report this comment
lassiegirldawn
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:58pm
Surely a relative of our commie in chief.

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- Jarhead 88
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:18pm
  It’s got teeth just like Wasaman Shlutz.
  
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thindime
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:56pm
Geez, I suddenly feel rather vulnerable in view of the voracious appetite of Big Government…

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- Mapache
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:03pm
  Symbolic of the way the government is taking our liberties and freedom
  
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Verceofreason
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:53pm
Actually the penguin was a little twerp taunting the seal with:
“Go balance a ball on yer nose you stinky circus freak!.
You smell like whale farts!”

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AnAmerican111
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:49pm
Add Leopard Seals to the list of weapons that the criminal Chief in Charge Obama wishes to Ban from United States Citizens

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barber2
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:47pm
Leopard seals look reptilian .

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- Totally Domestic
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:27pm
  I was thinking the same thing, looks kinda like a prehistoric creature.
  
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TooManyStupidFolksInTheUSA
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:33pm
had he been armed this never would have happened. Great cutting edge news Blaze!

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TooManyStupidFolksInTheUSA
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:30pm
looks like a sea monster to me…seals are cute.

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catholicextremist
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:09pm
Is that an assault or hunting?

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- KOCHLEFFEL
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:07pm
  EXTREMIST, this is a nosh!
  
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- Verceofreason
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 10:07pm
  “Taste just like chicken!”
  
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catholicextremist
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:07pm
We need more funding for seal shrinks.

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De-Elect
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:01pm
Are you sure that’s not his dentist?

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4xeverything
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:59pm
I just keep hearing the squirrel from the BBC video. Sheet.

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djmaine
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:50pm
Ban seals

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FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:48pm
That’s pretty presumptuous on the part of The Blaze.

Look at it again, folks. Based on the photo alone, one could argue the seal is getting a dental examination from his penguin buddy.

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OUTLAW_WEALTH
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:46pm
Like the youth vote who pulled for Obama.

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woodyee
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:43pm
Remember the time some PETA types called a press briefing on a beach in Alaska, to show the world the release of an otter rescued from The Valdez oil spill?

They all gathered on the beach, the press trampling over themselves to get the best propaganda shot, and the PETA types hummed and sang Kumbaya as they strode down the beach and released the otter…

“Goodbye!” “Goodbye!” they yelled and sobbed, waving as the tide helped the otter make his escape from those folks…

…then Orca showed up…

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- Jake Dog2
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:26pm
  LOL Yes I do remember. I laughed for a week.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:38pm
Leopard seals are apex predators in Antarctica, this is normal business for them. Nothing new.

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- Chrisrob63
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 12:58pm
  I remember from when I was a kid, watching NatGeo, Animal World and such, that Leopard Seals are nothing to be trifled with. Just their appearance says, “dangerous”. And I knew that the consist mainly on penguins.
  
  What a gape this monster has! It looks positively prehistoric, like one of the short-necked pleisiosaurs or pliosaurs.
  
  The little guy about to be dinner looks to be stunned from a previous attack, and doesn’t look like it will feel a thing.
  
  Oh, those poor, helpless apex predators, like polar bears and leopard seals!
  “They’re drowning, mommy! We need Al Gore to save them.”
  :)
  
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The-Monk
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:32pm
Nessie?

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- G-WHIZ
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 9:05am
  The seal was a CONSERVATIVE and the other was sent by E.Witholder…
  
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Gladileftcalifornia
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:28pm
This is news?

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- SingerGuy
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 4:14pm
  The fact that the picture was awarded “Best in Show” for 2012 by the American Photographic Artists is news, yes. The fact that a photographer was able to capture this moment is also incredible.
  
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- crackerone
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 6:31pm
  Well it begs the question. Leopard vs. Leopard seal?
  
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thefiend1
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:21pm
You guys, this is nothing more then a simple dental inspection…. :)

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- hatchetjob
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:59pm
  The new dental plan under Obamacare.
  
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:20pm
.
That penguin should have “Flipped that Seal the Fin” in one last great act of defiance…..

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- DenverKitty
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 1:43pm
  That was my first thought!
  
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whatthecrazy
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:17pm
Seals are usually kinda cute but this thing looks beastly……..poor little thing didn’t stand a chance.

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banjarmon
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:11pm
Snack time!!

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UNALIEN
Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:05pm
If that penguin were armed that seal would have thought twice…

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- EPROM
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:09pm
  It might be hard, though, going up against a “SEAL”.
  
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- grimmster
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 3:23pm
  Lol, too funny you two!
  
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