A fur seal has been spotted in the Cooks River in Sydney's inner west, prompting a response from wildlife rescue teams who worry it may be in poor health. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said there were no obvious health concerns and they were tracking the animal's movements.
Pictures posted to social media on Saturday showed the seal resting on a concrete slab by the river's edge in Marrickville. Tim Gillard, who took the photos, said, 'Not very often you see a seal in the Cooks River.' He contacted the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (Orrca), which sent a rescue team.
Orrca spokesperson Craig Ryan said the organisation had been monitoring the seal since it was first seen on 22 February near the river mouth in Kyeemagh. The seal had explored several creeks, including Muddy Creek, Wolli Creek and Earlwood. 'Normally seals stray closer to the coast,' Ryan said, adding that the seal appeared in 'declining condition'.
NPWS confirmed it was a New Zealand fur seal and said it was not unusual for seals to be found in coastal inlets. 'Although the animal is lean, it is active and has no obvious sign of injuries or other health concerns,' a spokesperson said. However, Dr Vanessa Pirotta of Macquarie University said photos suggested the seal was in poor condition compared with other fur seals seen in Sydney.
Dr Pirotta noted that fur seal populations are recovering but warned that this individual might need to be assessed for possible euthanasia. She reminded the public of a 40-metre exclusion zone around seals on land and said, 'They can not only have a nasty bite, but [a] bite can come with infection as well.' Ryan urged the public to report sightings to Orrca on (02) 9415 3333.
