WELLS – Federal officials investigating the killing and mutilation of seals along the coast of New England say a decapitated seal found along the Maine seaboard appears to be unrelated to poaching.

Greg Jakush, president of Marine Animal Lifeline, said a badly decomposed seal found in Wells last week had been dead for some time. Investigators were unable to determine what might have killed the seal.

Investigators believe someone is killing male seals, skinning them and removing their sex organs to supply a black market.