While the seal must have been uncomfortable in the plastic ring, it has been set free. Photo: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
A “really heartening” rescue has freed a fur seal from a plastic ring after months of effort and worry from humans on land.
The seal garnered significant interest and concern from the local community, who had been closely monitoring its wellbeing and reporting sightings to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) since they first saw the ring around the animal’s neck.
The NPWS tried several times to free the seal over the past few months. However, its frequent appearances and disappearances for weeks at a time from Narooma made it challenging.
On Wednesday (19 June), however, the stars finally aligned when the seal reappeared on the breakwall.
Skilled NPWS staff were able to safely capture the seal and successfully remove the plastic ring.
For NPWS Area Manager Jo Issaverdis, the result meant everyone involved could relax.
“We are incredibly proud to have made a difference for this seal,” she said.
“The community’s support and the dedication of ORRCA volunteers in monitoring and reporting sightings were invaluable.”
The seal was unharmed during the process and quickly returned to the ocean to rejoin its seal friends – though surely with a tale to tell.
“Our staff’s recent training in marine wildlife rescue was also fortuitous, greatly contributing to the successful and safe removal of the plastic ring.
“It was really heartening for the team to see the seal dive back into the ocean, free from its entanglement.”
It is common to see fur seals ‘hauled out’ (where they temporarily leave the water) along the NSW coastline at this time of year.
The majority of seals lying on breakwalls, rock shelves or beaches are not injured – they are resting or digesting a belly full of fish.
“We’d like to thank the local community and ORRCA volunteers for their support and vigilance in reporting sightings of this little guy over the past few months,” said Ms Issaverdis.
“Your reports were key to ensuring a positive outcome for this critter.”
If you see a seal injured or otherwise in distress, give the animal plenty of space and call the NPWS on 13000 PARKS (1300 072 757) or ORRCA on 02 9415 3333.
The public is asked to stay away from seals. While they may look fairly docile, they can move very quickly on land, have sharp teeth and may bite if frightened or provoked.
Please don’t approach a seal that has hauled out for any reason. For your own safety and the animal’s welfare you must stay at least 40 metres away from adults and 80 m if there is a pup present.
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