Today (15th Jan 2012) AMWRRO received information and photographs concerning 14 dead juvenile seals and 1 other still alive found amongst the dead on a small stretch of beach on the west coast of South Australia. A team of AMWRRO volunteers and members of the AMWRRO Scientific Board are leaving AMWRRO at 3am tomorrow to investigate and collect these animals for further post mortem examinations and to attempt to save the last seal pup (photo below).
A man and his son where heading to the popular fishing beach when they made the grim discovery and only managed to check approximately 500m of the beach; there are several small coves and other beaches close by that could reveal more dead animals.
Considering the geographical location of these animals; this could well be linked to “fishing bycatch” and or be associated to malicious activities e.g. shot, stabbed and or poisoned. More information will be provided in due time and flippers crossed we are able to save the poor soul awaiting help in and amongst the dead.
