Australian sea lion saved from fishing line tangle
A young Australian sea lion tangled in fishing line near Lincoln National Park recently has been rescued from a potentially slow and painful death.
Thanks to Triple Bay Fishing Charters, who raised the alarm after spotting the injured sea lion on Donnington Island, the animal was carefully cut free of the fishing line by Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula officers.
Natural Resources Ranger-in-charge Ron Saers said wildlife rescue jobs always have an element of risk and we are not always successful on the first attempt.
“On this occasion things worked in our favour,” Mr Saers said. “We freed the juvenile sea lion from the fishing net which was tangled around round its neck.
“We rely on our training and rescue equipment and work as quickly as possible to minimise stress on entangled animals.
“In this case we were successful in removing all the netting and we believe this Australian sea lion will fully recover from its injuries.”
“We encourage people to report wildlife entanglements while providing as much information as possible.
“It’s not generally wise to approach wild animals. Sea lions are strong and if they feel threatened they can inflict serious harm.”
The Australian sea lion is listed as a vulnerable species nationally as their numbers are not increasing despite being protected.
Seventy percent of the species live in South Australian waters and it’s thought there are approximately 14,700 Australian sea lions in South Australia.
Learn more about the life-cycle and survival of these marine mammals via links to the National Geographic Australian Sea Lion Critter Cam and a copy of the Recovery Plan.
If you need to report entangled marine wildlife please call either the Natural Resources Port Lincoln Office on 8688 3111 or Ceduna Office on 8625 3144. (An out of office number is supplied on the voice messages if required).
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