wildlife rescue – Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog

Seal relocation highlights community role

August 29, 2013August 7, 2014greatoceanroadcoast

A seal spotted near a construction site at St Kilda recently was relocated to a Barwon Heads beach by the Melbourne Zoo and Barwon C oast due to concerns for its welfare.

A sub Antarctic fur seal getting released onto a Barwon Heads Beach after it was relocated from a construction area in St Kilda breakwater

Melbourne Zoo Head of Veterinary Services Dr Michael Lynch said the Department of Environment and Primary Services (DEPI) informed the zoo that the Sub Antartic Fur Seal had been there for an extended period of time.

“Given the seal was resting near a construction site, DEPI were concerned it may be injured and asked that it be removed from the area.

“The seal was healthy, with no evidence of illness or injury so we relocated it to a Barwon Heads beach where it would be within its natural range.

“We have asked people to keep a look out for the seal to make sure it is managing well in its new location,” he said.

Sub Antarctic fur seals breed in sub Antarctic island waters between November and December each year.

Barwon Coast community liaison and education manager Maddie Glynn said it was important for the public to notify the appropriate authority if they saw sick, injured or distressed seals on the coast.

“It all helps to build a picture of what’s going on and sometimes it can assist in the identification of diseases of importance,” she said.

“Not all mothers are good parents and some of the younger seals – skinny yearlings that are not in prime condition – start to emerge along the coast.

“We often give assistance and advice to people on the ground to help manage seals that are found resting on beaches.

“We build networks with communities and ask individuals to contact us if they have a concern so we can assess the situation.”

People are urged not to go close to seals – as they can bite – to keep dogs on leashes and to dispose of fishing line correctly to prevent injury and disease.

Community members are urged to use Melbourne Zoo’s Seal the Loop bins designed for the collection of fishing waste so seals do not become entangled. Photo: www.zoo.org.au — Community members are urged to use Melbourne Zoo’s Seal the Loop bins designed for the collection of fishing waste so seals do not become entangled. Photo: http://www.zoo.org.au

“Melbourne Zoo’s Seal the Loop program provides bins designed for the collection of fishing waste,” Dr Lynch said.

“Disposing of fishing lines in the bins provided is essential as seals can become entangled in discarded fishing gear.”

Ms Glynn said seals are protected by state legislation and people and their dogs must not come within 50 metres of a seal on land.

“An inquisitive dog that may approach a seal may be seen to be harassing the animal and owners face potential prosecution.”

Any concerns regarding seals should be reported to the DEPI customer service centre on 136 186. For a map of Seal the Loop bins head to zoo.org.au/sealtheloop.

For further information on what to do if you sight a seal or other marine animal on the seashore visit the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee website.

This story featured in the Surf Coast Times Green the Coast Column.

Remember a number of measures can be taken to protect the welfare of seals resting on our coast:
•   Do not come within 50 meters of a seal on land as they can bite
•   Keep dogs on leashes
•   Dispose of fishing line correctly to prevent injury and disease
•   Notify appropriate authorities if you come across a seal in distress

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Rescued gannet returns home

April 8, 2013August 6, 2014greatoceanroadcoast

Local wildlife carers have released a young gannet back into the wild, after caring for and raising the ocean bird which was found abandoned on a beach.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — The rescued gannet, Summer.

The gannet, affectionately known as Summer, is believed to have become separated from a flock of gannets living on Mud Islands in Port Phillip Bay.

Local wildlife carer Robyn Rule said the young gannet required eight weeks of care before she could be released back into the wild.

“Summer needed to grow up a little bit more so she could survive in the ocean. Had she remained on the beach, it’s unlikely she would have survived.”

Birdlife Australia Shore Birds 2020 project manager Golo Maurer said it was very rare to hear of gannets being reared by humans.

“Generally gannets stay in their colonies and are unlikely to survive away from the group because they are unable to look after themselves on land.”

To ensure her survival in the wild, Ms Rule encouraged Summer to dive for her food like other gannets, with the bird often consuming 32 pilchards a day.

“Originally, we had to force feed her, but by the end she realised where the food was coming from and you could throw her a fish and she would dive for it,” she said.

Summer has since been released back into the wild but will always be remembered as one of the more unusual animals the wildlife carers have encountered.

“When we released her I felt like any mother taking their child to school for the first time. All that we can hope is that she has a good life.”

Ms Rule asked that people who find injured wildlife do three things to increase the animal’s chances of survival.

“Cover the animal with a towel to prevent it stressing, stay with it if safe to do so and call Wildlife Victoria immediately.

“A wild animal flees to protect itself, so this can often make our job very difficult when people leave an injured animal unattended. If people can stay with the animal or keep it in sight until we arrive, they can help us to achieve a much more successful outcome.”

For further information about wildlife volunteering, protection and conservation contact Wildlife Victoria on 1300 094 535 or visit wildlifevictoria.org.au.

This story featured in the Surf Coast Times Green the Coast Column.

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Whales sighted early on coast

April 3, 2013August 6, 2014greatoceanroadcoast

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have reported three sightings of whales along the coast of Marengo on the Great Ocean Road (read the full media release).

DSE has called on Victorians to report any sightings of whales over the next few weeks after earlier than usual sightings of migrating humpbacks off our coast.

DSE Senior Biodiversity Officer at Warrnambool, Mandy Watson said they have had two sightings of Humpback Whales off the Victorian coast this year and they are keen to hear from anyone if they see any more.
“We normally don’t start seeing Humpback Whales until April or May so we are very interested in hearing any further reports of these early starters.”

“Anyone sighting migrating humpback or southern right whales over the next few weeks should call the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186,” Ms Watson said.

Marine mammals are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and rules and regulations are in place to protect them.

To report an emergency (stranding, entanglement, injury or death) involving a whale or a dolphin call the Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline – 1300 136 017.

A Southern Right Whale, which are most commonly seen close to the coast in the winter months between June and October.

Are you keeping an eye out for migrating whales this year, and where are the best spots on the coast to sight them?

Let us know below.

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Volunteer saves injured Hoodie

March 11, 2013August 6, 2014greatoceanroadcoast

A Hooded Plover’s life has been saved thanks to the quick thinking of a dedicated volunteer and the assistance of Birdlife Australia and a local vet.

Hooded Plover KM gets treated for its injuries.

The bird, known as ‘KM’, was found with severe injuries near Point Roadknight recently with a yellow fibre cutting of circulation to its leg.

Volunteer Hooded Plover Monitor Geoff Gates noticed the bird was limping between a flock of about six other plovers.

“I knew the bird’s leg was swollen and had something constricting the blood flow to the foot and I thought the most probable cause was fishing line,” he said.

Birdlife Australia Beach-nesting Birds Program Manager Grainne Maguire said she carefully separated the bird from its flock and local vet, Liz Brown, was called in to assist.

“Liz used a pair of fine scissors and carefully removed the fibre which was twisted and embedded around the ankle.

“She applied anti-fungal cream on the wound and gave the bird a shot of antibiotics,” she said.

Local vet, Liz Brown, removes the yellow fibre caught around KM's leg. — Local vet, Liz Brown, removes the yellow fibre caught around KM’s leg.

“Two volunteers have since reported KM is moving about normally and seems to be doing well but we’ll be monitoring the wound closely over the coming month to ensure there’s no infection and that it’s healing properly.”

Litter, including fishing line, poses danger to beach nesting birds and other coastal and marine wildlife and beachgoers are being urged to do their bit and keep our coast clean.

“The main way we can minimize entanglements is to ensure we bin our litter, especially fishing line,” Ms Maguire said.

Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Conservation Officer Georgina Beale said some of the dead seals and birds that wash up on the coast have swallowed or been strangled by plastic bags, fishing line, bits of nets and other rubbish.

“Please use the bins located in grassed foreshore areas and adjacent to sand areas to dispose of litter,” she said.

Hooded Plovers are endangered in Victoria and are vulnerable to a wide range of threats including a range of predators.

You can help to ensure their survival by getting hands on and becoming a volunteer monitor.

Volunteer monitors log sightings, track the movements of individual birds and follow their breeding progress over the season, logging information into the My Hoodie Data Portal.

“The portal is being used by several hundred volunteers and we have over 2000 sightings in it so far,” Ms Maguire said.

To learn more about the Hooded Plover monitor, email hoodedplover@birdlife.org.au.

This story featured in the Surf Coast Times Green the Coast Column.

KM's banded leg entangled in the unknown yellow fibre. — KM’s banded leg entangled in the unknown yellow fibre.

Find out more about volunteering along the coast on GORCC’s website.

Find out more about protecting our endangered Hooded Plovers on the GORCC website, or read the related blog posts below.

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Animals need help to beat the heat

January 21, 2013August 6, 2014greatoceanroadcoast

Wildlife carers have received an influx of Ringtail possums and Phillip Island penguins as a result of the recent heat wave.

A total of eight possums and 15 penguins have been admitted to the Torquay wildlife shelter over the last two weeks.

Local wildlife carer Robyn Rule said that one of the biggest problems facing these animals is the weather’s effects on their natural behaviour.

“The possums have been affected by the heat because of how they build their dreys (nests made of leaves). Unfortunately if the hot weather doesn’t go away, the animal’s organs begin to shut down. At that point the best we can do is make the animal as comfortable as possible.”

Of the eight possums which have been admitted to the shelter, three have been released back into the wild, three were unable to recover from the effects of the heat and two are still under observation.

While some of these animals have survived the hot weather, others have been less fortunate.

Of the 15 penguins which were found between Point Impossible and Moggs Creek, only three are well enough to be released back in to the ocean.

Ms Rule said that if a penguin is found on the beach then they are generally there for a reason.

“Penguins come up on to the beach to because they don’t want to drown in the water and because they are severely underweight. Unfortunately that’s just nature’s way and often there is very little we can do to save or help them,” she said.

As a result of this penguins are unlikely to survive their first night in care.

If you come across injured wildlife there are three important things you can do:

Cover the animal with a towel or blanket, so that it’s level of stress doesn’t increase. If it is a hot day, a wet towel is best to try and rehydrate the animal.
If possible and safety permitting, don’t leave the animal unattended, as there is the potential that it could disappear.
Call Wildlife Victoria on 1300 094 535 or the Torquay Wildlife Shelter on 0402 237 600.

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