The Conservation Regulator is appealing for public assistance after a juvenile sub-Antarctic fur seal was found with critical injuries in suspicious circumstances on Lake Bunga Beach, east of Lakes Entrance, on Tuesday, September 17.
At approximately 8am, a member of the public reported a resting, unharmed juvenile fur seal to Zoos Victoria’s Marine Response Unit (MRU), who recorded the information and would monitor the seal’s presence and condition over 24 hours.
Around 6pm, the witness returned to the beach to find the seal now with facial wounds and serious back injuries, and reportedly surrounded by human and dog footprints. They also stated seeing a large stick next to the animal that wasn’t previously there.
A qualified vet assessed the seal and discovered a spinal fracture and multiple rib fractures. The animal was subsequently euthanised due to the severity of the injuries.
Experts at Melbourne Zoo will now conduct a necropsy on the seal to better understand the injuries which led to its death.
The Conservation Regulator is investigating the incident and urges anyone with information to report it confidentially to Crime Stoppers Victoria.
All wildlife, including seals, are protected by law in Victoria. It is an offence to harm, disturb, touch, or go within 30 metres of a seal on land, and offenders face a maximum penalty of $3951 under the Wildlife Act 1975 and/or Wildlife (Marine Mammals) Regulations 2019 and up to $49,397 or 12 months in prison under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
Pet owners face additional penalties of up to $4939 if their dog chases, attacks, or injures wildlife.
