A juvenile sub-Antarctic fur seal that was found with critical injuries next to a large stick and footprints has had to be euthanised.
A manhunt is underway after a brutal attack on a juvenile seal in Victoria’s east left a veterinarian with no choice but to euthanise the animal.
A walker reported seeing the small sub-Antarctic fur seal unharmed and resting on Lake Bunga Beach, east of Lakes Entrance, about 8am on September 17.Crime Stoppers Victoria Zoos Victoria’s Marine Response Unit agreed to keep an eye on it but about 10 hours later, at 6pm, the walker returned and found the seal with back injuries and wounds to its face.
The animal was surrounded by human and dog footprints, and a large stick — not previously there — was next to it. A veterinarian assessed the seal and discovered it had critical injuries, including a spinal fracture and multiple broken ribs. The vet euthanised the seal because of the severity of its injuries.Melbourne Zoo experts will conduct a necropsy on the seal to better understand the injuries that led to its death, Crime Stoppers Victoria said.People who harm seals in Victoria face jail time of up to 12 months, and fines of almost $50,000 under animal cruelty laws.
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