Concerns for ‘declining’ fur seal spotted at Cooks River in inner Sydney | Australia news

A seal has been spotted in a river in Sydney’s inner west, prompting wildlife rescue teams to fear the seal may be in poor health.

However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said there was no obvious health problem and that they were monitoring the animal’s movements.

Pictures posted on social media showed the seal resting on a concrete slab at the water’s edge at the Cooks River in Marrickville on Saturday.

“You don’t see seals very often in the Cooks River,” said Tim Gillard, who took the photos.

The Cooks River runs through the inner suburbs south-west of the CBD and empties into Gamay/Botany Bay next to Sydney airport.

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Gillard called the Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Organization (Orrca) in Australia, which sent a rescue team to the scene.

Orrca spokesman Craig Ryan said the organisation, which rescues marine mammals as well as seals and dugongs, had been monitoring the animal since it was spotted near the estuary at Kyeemagh on Sunday, February 22, and was continuing to assess the situation.

The seal had explored several small streams flowing into the Cooks: the group received reports of it being “back in the bay” at Muddy Creek and most recently at Wolli Creek and Earlwood.

The seal was last reported to Orrca on Sunday morning, and Ryan said the group was “ready to respond” if there were any further sightings.

“Normally seals wander closer to shore, they are not seen regularly in these places,” he said.

The seal appeared to be in a “weakening condition,” Ryan said.

“He may need some rest from predators and new places to find food.”

from Macquarie University. Vanessa Pirotta said marine mammals are common sightings in Botany Bay, so the potential for a mammal to make its way up Wolli Creek is “clearly there.”

But Sydney’s waterways can be an unhealthy place to visit.

Cooks River estuary has “moderate” water quality, NSW environment department says latest 2022–23 summer sampling After being rated “poor” in the 2010-11 report card. The ‘algal abundance’ rating has fallen from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ since 2010-11.

An NPWS spokesperson confirmed the New Zealand fur seal was first spotted at the Kyeemagh boat ramp and has remained in the general area since then.

They said it is not uncommon for seals to be found in coastal bays and other waterways.

“Although the animal is thin, it is active and has no obvious signs of injury or other health problems,” they said. They will continue to monitor the situation with Orrca.

But Pirotta said photos of the animal showed it was in poor condition compared to other fur seals seen in Sydney.

“You only have to look at the people jumping on the steps of the Sydney Opera House to know what a fur seal in good shape should look like,” he said.

“Unfortunately, from time to time we see individuals in poor condition. As a result, this animal will likely be evaluated by authorities to determine whether the animal should be euthanized.”

Despite this individual seal’s situation, “fur seal populations continue to recover, and that’s a good thing,” Pirotta said.

He said the seal sighting was a reminder that “we share our blue backyard with these creatures.”

In 2012, another adult fur seal was seen in the Cooks River.

According to Orrca, there is a 40-meter exclusion zone around seals when they come ashore.

Pirotta warned anyone who sees the seal to be careful: “It’s not just a nasty bite, but [a] The bite may also come with infection.

Ryan appealed to citizens to call Orrca on (02) 9415 3333 if they see marine mammals struggling or in unusual areas.