The other thing is that the first step in the skinning process is cutting the major arteries in the axilla. So really the first step in the skinning process is the bleeding process. So if indeed, after they were struck, they were very quickly bled, then that would definitely ensure death. But if someone were to skin a seal that was in this hunched-up, contracted state, then conceivably the seal would be conscious.
On October 5th, 2006. See this statement in context.