Little seal washes into Victorian waters along with waste
Rarely-seen, Subantarctic fur seals usually swim in deep waters thousands of kilometres from Victorian shores.
However, discarded waste has forced one little seal to seek human help.
Melbourne Zoo's Marine Response Unit team responded to a call about the seal who was on a beach at Barwon Heads in distress and immobile with cargo netting cutting deeply into its neck.
Acting swiftly, the little seal was safely caught by the Marine Response Unit team with help from the Barwon Coast Committee, and the netting gently cut free before the seal was transported back to Melbourne Zoo for veterinary care.
Marine Response Unit keeper Elise Doyle said that after two weeks of care, the exhausted young seal was able to make a full recovery so it could be returned to the ocean at Barwon Heads.
"We rarely see this species of seal in Victoria, but marine waste littering the open ocean is likely the reason he was forced to seek refuge on our shores,” Ms Doyle said.
"While in our care at Melbourne Zoo, the little seal was able to put on some weight and gain considerable strength.
"After an assessment by our vet team, we deemed him fit for release back at Barwon Heads."
Upon being brought back to the beach where he was found, the young seal was hesitant to move at first, but quickly ran into the waves once he saw the open water.
"Back in the water the seal displayed beautiful natural behaviours of foraging and grooming so we're confident he'll be able to make a full recovery," Ms Doyle said. "It’s absolutely incredible to be able to rehabilitate and return an animal to the wild.”
Each year, Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit receives thousands of calls about marine wildlife entangled in waste, including fishing gear. Zoos Victoria works with the Victorian Fisheries Authority to install ‘Seal the Loop’ bins where anglers can dispose of any unwanted fishing gear.
Anyone who sees a marine animal in distress should call the Melbourne Zoo Marine Response Unit on 1300 245 678.