On the 6th March 2013 at 5:30pm AMWRRO was contacted by a concerned member of the public “Tim” who came across a sick looking seal at the states Lower South East region. Photos were requested so that we could get a better understanding of the animals overall condition. Images arrived shortly after and the animal was identified as a young Southern Elephant seal that required immediate attention.
Elmo enjoying his swims and the odd squirt with the hose in his mouth
AMWRRO contacted the local Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) Officer for assistance, yet when we were informed that he had already checked on the animal earlier that day and that it was “not able to move a muscle” and was “too far gone” in his opinion.
AMWRRO was then informed that the South Australian Museum were notified by DEWNR Officers and they were extremely interested in the animal as apart often their collection. As a consequence of the officers opinion he was considering “helping the animal on its way!” by way of firearm. AMWRRO disagreed and requested that no decisions be made until we were able to assess the animal more closely. This too was disregarded by the officer and was considered it a “waste of time and money” in his opinion.
AMWRRO then contacted the original caller Tim and requested he attend to the animal so that we could talk through its condition in more detail. Unfortunately whilst Tim was walking towards the animal he witnessed it making its way back to the ocean and swam off as a consequence of being harassed by young men.
AMWRRO knew this animal would return close to its original hall out location and contacted some “AMWRRO friends” who have assisted in the past to help relocate the seal. Within the hour the animal was located once again.
In the meantime; the DEWNR officer contacted AMWRRO in shock as the animal was not in the original location and that he thought it was unable to move and was half dead etc.
Now close to dusk several “AMWRRO friends” were closely watching this animal from a distance so that people and pet could be kept away until the sun had set.
The following morning AMWRRO dispatched its Emergency Rescue Crew (ERC) at 2am for the 5 hour long drive south and so the ERC would arrive on site at first light to assess the animals’ condition.
At first light the ERC arrived and assessed the animals condition, of which was nowhere near as bad as first explained by the DEWNR Officer. Nonetheless, the animal required attention and was rescued accordingly.
The ERC arrived back at AMWRRO with the young seal at 3pm. The animal was identified to be a young male approximately 2 years old, he was rehydrated and left to rest before being admitted into care the following day.
This young male Southern Elephant seal has since been named Elmo and is doing well considering. He is currently weighing in at 55kg and is extremely underweight. Once fully grown these animals can weigh up to 4000kg (4 tons) and dive to depths of 3 kilometres for up to 2 hours on a single breath. Southern Elephant seals are birthed at approximately 40kg and are weeded after 24 days; within such time these animals gain a mammoth 120kg+.
Flippers crossed this little (big) guy comes good with the treatment we provide and he is able to be released in the near future.
Unfortunately this situation is something that AMWRRO faces all too often and instead of utilising a state wide service such as AMWRRO that has been offered to DEWNR time and time again, this is yet another classic example of DEWNR arranging with another government department the carcase of an animal (that is not yet dead) to be added to its collection prematurely or without any consideration whatsoever.
