We saw this seal darting around the shallows of Shark Island.
I am assuming this is an Aus. Fur Seal. Juvenile and on its last legs after rough seas. Later died unfortunately.
Field Notes - Cottesloe Beach, many swimmers in water. Sealion snuck in to bay undetected and poped up near a group of teens in waist deep water and was extremely playful with them, swimming close then about-turn ducking out of their reach. Animal moved between many groups of swimmers and water depths, looked for all the world like a puppy at the park!
Seal Iion smallish with pale underbelly- suggests adult female or juvenile male? Water v. calm and crystal clear with sun overhead, approx 12.10pm. Animal interacted enthusiastically with swimmers for around 20mins before losing interest and swimming out to sea. Some rec fishermen fishing of south side of rockwall, using fresh caught and cut herring as bait. no sealion interaction with their gear but bait may have attracted it to area?
Sighting and photos (c) entropyandroar.
Field Notes - They don't come much cuter than this little fella!
Not hard to see why they fall into the Charismatic Megafauna category.
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