Seals are being killed and mutilated in New England states, possibly to sell their skins and sex organs. The latest case, however, doesn't seem to be connected to the others. Someone decapitated a seal and left the letters "M A L" carved into its hide.
UPDATE: Turns out the "M A L" covered seal was not a mutilation. It was written in grease pencil and stands for "Marine Animal Lifeline."