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Fisheries officers have sent samples of the dead animals to a wildlife pathologist at the Atlantic Veterinary College
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is investigating after dozens of dead seals were found on a beach and in the waters off Prince Edward Island.

A group of students from the Charlottetown-based Atlantic Veterinary College found as many as 50 dead seals over the weekend.

The students came upon the bloody carcasses of grey seals either dead or dying. Many of seals were pups.


DFO officers responded to the beach on Black Brook Road near Murray Harbour in the eastern part of the Island.

Fisheries officers have sent samples of the dead animals to Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust, a wildlife pathologist at the veterinary college, who will perform the necropsies.

Daoust said the cause of death has not been determined.

Steve Hachey, communications adviser with DFO, said an investigation will determine whether the seals died of natural causes or were killed.

Hachey said charges could be laid under the Fisheries Act if test results confirm the seals were killed.