Editing Leopard seal (section)

===Death of Kirsty Brown===
In 2003, biologist Kirsty Brown of the [[British Antarctic Survey]] was killed by a leopard seal while conducting research  [[snorkeling]] in [[Antarctica]]. This was the first recorded human fatality attributed to a leopard seal.<ref name="newscientistinquiry"/><ref name=NG_killer>{{cite web|title=Leopard Seal Kills Scientist in Antarctica|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/08/0806_030806_sealkiller.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030808010225/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/08/0806_030806_sealkiller.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2003|work=National Geographic Society|date=August 6, 2003|first=James|last=Owen|access-date=2007-12-10}}</ref> Brown was part of a team of four researchers taking part in an underwater survey at South Cove, near the U.K.'s [[Rothera Research Station]]. Brown and another researcher, Richard Burt, were snorkeling in the water. Burt was snorkeling at a distance of 15 metres (nearly 50 feet) from Brown when the team heard a scream and saw Brown disappear deeper into the water. She was rescued by her team, but they were unable to [[resuscitate]] her. It was later revealed that the seal had held Brown underwater for around six minutes at a depth of up to {{convert|70|meters|ft}}, drowning her. Furthermore, she suffered a total of 45 separate injuries (bites and scratches), most of which were concentrated around her head and neck.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

In a report read at the inquiry into Brown's death, Professor Ian Boyd from the [[University of St Andrews]] stated that the seal may have mistaken her for a fur seal, or been frightened by her presence and attacked in defence; Professor Boyd said that leopard seal attacks on humans were extremely rare, but warned that they may potentially become more common due to increased human presence in Antarctica. The coroner recorded the cause of death as “accidental” and “caused by drowning due to a leopard seal attack”.<ref name="The Inquest of Kirsty Brown">Gyford, Sue (2003-11-14). [http://www.ecophotoexplorers.com/files/pdf/KirstyBrownInquest.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418201732/http://www.ecophotoexplorers.com/files/pdf/KirstyBrownInquest.pdf|date=2016-04-18}}. ecophotoexplorers.com. Retrieved on 2019-08-20</ref>