A flippin’ amazing leopard seal, who seems to be touring Port Phillip Bay on their journey to Antarctica, stopped for a rest at Picnic Point in Sandringham on Saturday, followed by Sandy Beach on Sunday, moving down to Beaumaris to catch more Bayside vibes on Monday.
We set up an exclusion zone surrounding the seal and ensured they were safe. DEECA, the Marine Response Unit and local police were aware and patrolling the areas. The leopard seal has been assessed by marine experts and although a little underweight, otherwise fine. It is believed it’s the same leopard seal that has been spotted in Victoria for around 4 months now – a long way from the ice but clearly loves our beaches.
Keep your distance
The sighting is a good reminder that as much as seals may look friendly, they are wild animals and protected.
For the safety of the seal and yours, Wild Life Victoria has some rules you need to remember to ensure your safety and to minimise your impact on the seal:
- Do not approach within 30 metres of a seal on land, whether you are also on land or in the water.
- Dogs are not permitted within 50 metres of a seal on land.
- Do not approach within 5 metres of a seal on a boat ramp, pier, jetty or other infrastructure connected to land and designed for access to the water.
- Do not approach on a vessel within 30 metres of a seal haul out site.
- If you are swimming, do not approach within 5 metres of a haul out site.
- Dogs must not enter the water within 150 metres of a dolphin, 300 metres of a whale or 50 metres of a seal.
- It is illegal to touch or feed a seal.
