Dead Grey Seal (1 Viewer)

Has anyone any idea what could have happened to this grey seal, washed up on Kilkee Beach, County Clare, Ireland yesterday? Its flippers and tail were largely missing, as was its entire face, stripped back to the skull and peeled back at the nape. Gruesome photo, but if something predated it, why wasn't any of the fleshy blubbery body-parts eaten?
P.S.- All the dogs being walked on the beach were afraid to go near the dead seal. My best guess is it's a young one that died of starvation or something, and that fish nibbled away the extremities. Anyway it's gone on the tide today.

It may be to do with the fact that the mouth of any animal, contains so much bacteria (far more than the other end apparently) that it and the surrounding area, decay far quicker than the rest. It's also an orifice in to which fish and other opportunists can gain easy access for a snack, far easier than getting through the tough skin.

Sounds like a valid explanation....thanks Andy!