Recently AMWRRO was notified of a young dolphin found entangled in a large rubber/plastic ring. If this animal is not found and rescued soon it will most certainly die a very slow and extremely painful death. AMWRRO has liaised with department officials on the west coast who will keep a close eye on all dolphins in the area and will contact AMWRRO when found.

The young dolphin entangled around the neck

The AMWRRO Emergency Response Team is currently on standby and will fly out of Adelaide as soon as the animal is found. A timely reminder that all rubbish belongs in the bin and most definitely kept in your boat when out on the water. Flippers crossed we can get to this animal in time!

Seal season continues at AMWRRO – what a great reason to start volunteering today!

Sub-Antarctic fur seals, Australian fur seals, New Zealand fur seals and Australian sea lions are currently in care at AMWRRO making this year’s seal season very busy and at the same time – extremely successful.

From the Lower South East to the far West coast, many seals have joined the “mile high club” due to air transport being used on several occasions due to distance and urgency.

Special thanks to all those volunteers who have dedicated hundreds of hours to the successful rehabilitation of over 15 seals in as many weeks and over 55 seabirds, sea turtles and even the odd koala!

AMWRRO volunteers have been working extra-long hours due to the large number of in care animals we are currently dealing with and all of which expect nothing in return! If you or someone you know would like to be one of these extremely lucky people and would like to work with these amazing species, now’s the time to become a member and start volunteering!  If you are dedicated, hard-working, reliable, don’t mind getting your hands VERY dirty and working with some fantastic people that all share a common interest.  AMWRRO is a great way to meet new people and help care for some of Australia’s most unique and precious marine species.

Meet some of our in care critters

Honey at Glenelg unable to move without crying out in pain

Honey is an Australian seal lion that was rescued from Glenelg beach a few weeks ago. Honey was suffering from a prolapsed uterus (most probably due to the shark attack she sustained to her rear flippers). She was found not far from the Grand Hotel in extreme pain and in urgent need of attention.  Lucky for Honey after almost 3 hours on the surgery table we were able to reinstate her uterus and provide her with pain relief and antibiotics. Honey is currently doing very well considering and is expected to make a full recovery.

Navy is a New Zealand fur seal (named by her rescuers – Navy seal) as she has proven to be a true fighter. Navy was found in the states Lower South East and was extremely emaciated and dehydrated. This young female was collected and transported off the beach to the Mount Gambier airport for a quick trip to Adelaide for much needed attention. She has so far gained 6kg and is doing well.

Bill perched on his favorite log

Bill our Pelican was rescued from Hindmarsh Island several weeks ago.  Bill was kept in care by somebody who clearly had no idea how to care for seabirds.  His feather condition was atrocious, he had a severally infected left wind and right foot due to an old entanglement and was released with two hooks still embedded under his right wing.  We know this bird was kept in care due to the bright color purple that was sprayed all over his feathers – this is an antiseptic spray used by vets to stop infection on small superficial wounds and unfortunately for Bill, he was completely covered in it. Bill is still missing his tail feathers and several flight feathers hence he’s unable to fly at this point in time.  He remains in care and is looking 100% better already. 

Sub-Antarctic fur seals are becoming a common sight at AMWRRRO of late. Meet Toni a relatively young adult female Sub-Antarctic fur seal that was rescued from the top of Gulf St. Vincent at Price.  Locals found this seal sleeping within 2 metres of parked cars whilst people continued to fish around her.  Normally these animals love to rip your legs off and the alarm bells started to sound when she was able to be approached within touching distance without any reaction.  This seal was suffering from a huge gum infection and is now on the mend. She should be release within the week or so – flippers crossed and is an extremely rare find in South Australian waters.

Toni enjoying the sun and on the road to recovery

One of our smallest in care seals is Peanut. This little fella was found beached washed in Pt. Augusta at the top of Spencer Gulf approximately 2 weeks ago. He was found by local council workers and thankfully for him they cared enough to make a few calls to check on his welfare.  This little guy did not move for over 6 days and was taken into care for some TLC.  Peanut should be released this weekend if all goes well on Saturday and he has gained some weight. Kerry and Jamie are two Little Penguins that were rescued from the Goolwa district several weeks ago; both birds were transported half way to Adelaide by Dorothy and Keith C/- the Granite Island Penguin Centre and have been in rehabilitation since.  Jamie was unfortunately bitten by a dog and Kerry is suffering from an eye infection. Both birds are the best of friends and should be heading back home in the near future.

A lucky couple who live on Hindmarsh Island – Goolwa have over thirty seals sleeping on their private pontoon – of which is a wonderful sight, normally. However, several days ago they awoke to find one of their furry friends entangled in netting! This was reported to the Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) – Dry Creek who contacted AMWRRO for assistance. AMWRRO coordinated the rescue and attended hours later.

The netting now cut off

The seal was tranquilized and the entanglement removed. Fortunately for this sub-adult the entanglement had not yet cut through the skin and he was able to be released moments after removing the netting.Another successful rescue by the AMWRRO crew and DEWNR; working together and making things happen, before it’s too late!

Should you find an entangled marine animal please contact AMWRRO for advice and or assistance as we are a state wide service that can and will attend around the clock should the need arise.

AMWRRO volunteers are trained in marine wildlife rescue and we are always looking for new volunteers to help our precious and extremely unique marine critters when the need arises.

To become an AMWRRO volunteer and to get hands on with these animals – click here.