NRE: Leave Seals Alone

Media release – Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, 28 July 2022

Let hauling seals lie

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) would like to remind members of the public not to disturb our wildlife.

Wildlife biologists from the Marine Conservation Program (MCP) at NRE Tas have been monitoring a male southern elephant seal, nicknamed Neil the seal. The seal has been hauled out at Clifton Beach since 23 June.

The male southern elephant seal was born on Tasman Peninsula in October 2020, a rare occurrence in Tasmania. Before it weaned, as the authority responsible for management of the seal, MCP wildlife biologists attached a small individually numbered plastic tag to each of its hind flippers so that it would be easily identified in the future.

In March, when the seal was just beginning its annual ‘obligatory’ moult, MCP biologists and a Departmental Vet sedated and relocated it from Woodbridge to a more secluded location due to concern for its safety after it wandered along a main road several times.

During the relocation process, MCP biologists fitted a satellite tracking device to the top of its head to learn more about its behaviour and whereabouts. As part of the seal undergoing moulting, the tracking device naturally fell off, leaving a mark on the top of his head. The mark does not cause any harm or issues for the seal.

“The seal is simply ashore to rest. It’s normal behaviour for seals to come ashore in Tasmania to rest and they can come ashore for indefinite periods of time and will return to the sea to forage when they are ready,” Wildlife Biologist Dr Kris Carlyon said.

The seal is not currently undergoing moult, so there is nothing preventing it from returning to sea and biologists are hopeful that, after more than four weeks ashore, it will soon return to feed.

MCP has considered and reassessed options regarding management of this elephant seal at Clifton Beach over the past month. It has been the expert opinion of the wildlife biologists and departmental vets that intervention to move the seal would only be undertaken if absolutely necessary.

Sedation and relocation can incur significant risks to the seal and would likely be a temporary solution as it could haul up at another human-populated location. Relocation would only be considered if the seal or members of the public were at undue risk.

“It is important people don’t get too close to the seal or harass him. While elephant seals are not likely to attack if unprovoked and can appear calm and relaxed, he is still a large, wild animal.”

Members of the public should keep their distance (20m) and are reminded that interfering with wildlife is an offence. It is also important the seal does not become habituated to humans and, for its health and survival, continues to maintain wild behaviours for the longer term. Anyone with concerns about the seal can call the Marine Conservation Program Marine Mammal Hotline on 0427 WHALES (0427 942 537).

Featured image above courtesy Judy Leitch, taken at Clifton Beach car park around 16 July.