I mean, looks like an older skeleton, could have been a natural death and they just found it. I feel like a hunted Elephant Seal would have a more… butchered look to its bones.
It does look found and naturally decayed, but somewhat recently. The bones are still held together and I imagine I see some fleshy bits here and there. Otherwise it would not be posable and would be just a jumbled pile.
As seals were hunted for commercial purpose, it surely has been killed by humans, but not necessarily by members of their expedition team.
I mean, looks like an older skeleton, could have been a natural death and they just found it. I feel like a hunted Elephant Seal would have a more… butchered look to its bones.
It does look found and naturally decayed, but somewhat recently. The bones are still held together and I imagine I see some fleshy bits here and there. Otherwise it would not be posable and would be just a jumbled pile.