• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
  • Competition
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Catch of the decade
  • Season on the line for Seagulls
  • Pythons face an uphill battle, Redlegs stumble
  • Ketch blown ashore in Dromana
  • Early morning hit
  • Boxing world mourns loss of a champion
  • Successfully navigating the path of anxiety
  • Ryman abandons Mt Martha centre
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»Latest News»Hunt is on for seal’s attacker
Latest News

Hunt is on for seal’s attacker

By Keith PlattDecember 7, 2015No Comments2 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Callous attack: This seal found at Chinaman’s Hat with a harpoon sticking out of its back was taken away for treatment and released the following day. Chinaman’s Hat is a resting place for Australian fure seals and reguarly visited by tour boats.                     Pictures: Dolphin Research Institute
Callous attack: This seal found at Chinaman’s Hat with a harpoon sticking out of its back was taken away for treatment and released the following day. Chinaman’s Hat is a resting place for Australian fure seals and reguarly visited by tour boats. Pictures: Dolphin Research Institute

seal1WILDLIFE authorities are on the lookout for the person who harpooned a seal found wounded at Chinaman’s Hat, a resting platform in Port Phillip between Sorrento and Queenscliff.

The harpoon was still lodged in the seal’s back and a second wound near its shoulder blades indicated it had been hit twice.

The badly bleeding seal was first spotted at about 10am on Saturday 28 November by Troy Muir while conducting a tour with his family company Polperro Dolphin Swims.

David Donnelly, a marine wildlife consultant with the Dolphin Research Institute was first on the scene and called in Melbourne Zoo’s marine rescue unit and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

The injured seal was sedated with a dart and taken to the Zoo for treatment.

“Rescuers found the harpoon firmly embedded in the seal, with approximately two feet of gaff handle left protruding from the wound,” DELWP wildlife officer Samantha Moore said.

“The seal had been stabbed twice resulting in trauma across its shoulder blades.”

Ms Moore said the harpoon was being analysed and would be kept “as evidence”.

“The Department and the general public do not tolerate deliberate harm or cruelty towards wildlife,” she said.

“Seals are protected animals and anyone found killing or injuring a seal could be subject to a fine of $7350 or six months imprisonment or both.”

Marine Response Unit vet Sarah Frith said it was fortunate the seal was spotted when it was.

“We were able to successfully remove the harpoon head from the animal and provide it with pain relief and antibiotics to help it recover overnight,” she said.

The seal was released the next morning at Blairgowrie boat ramp and later seen swimming near Chinaman’s Hat, one of four seal hauling-outs, or resting platforms, in the bay.

Sick or distressed marine wildlife can be reported by phoning 1300 245 678.

Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity relating to the seal harpooning should call DELWP on 136 186.

First published in the Mornington News – 8 December 2015

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Council unable to stop sex industry expansion

August 8, 2022

Shire tracks state poll promises

August 8, 2022

Orange Door to safety opens at Hastings

August 2, 2022

Call for action on housing crisis

August 1, 2022
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
Aug 10, 2022 - Wed
Mornington, Australia
6°C
clear sky
clear sky
2 m/s, E
73%
769.57 mmHg
wed08/10 thu08/11 fri08/12 sat08/13 sun08/14
overcast clouds
11/10°C
moderate rain
11/11°C
light rain
14/12°C
light rain
12/9°C
light rain
11/11°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

July 25, 2022
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

May 26, 2022
Council Watch

Shire ‘committed’ to aged care

August 8, 2022

Shire not forced to drop aged care services

August 1, 2022
State Elections 2022

‘Justice’ for animals and climate

August 8, 2022

Peta Murphy wins second term in Dunkley

May 23, 2022

Shire accused of being off track with pledges

May 17, 2022
Interview

All aboard for murder mystery

July 25, 2022
Property of the Week

14 Lynch Court, Mt Martha

July 26, 2022
100 Years Ago This Week

Ketch blown ashore in Dromana

August 8, 2022
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2022 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.