The cruel death of an injured baby seal that was attacked on a popular Australian beach has sparked an urgent investigation by wildlife authorities.
Victoria Police are appealing for witnesses after a juvenile subantarctic fur seal was found with critical injuries at Bunga Beach, near Lakes Entrance, in Victoria.
The baby seal was found resting by local resident Anne Kaiser on the coast, about 318 kilometers east of Melbourne, around 8am on September 17.
Ms. Kaiser notified authorities and returned to the beach around 6 p.m. to check on the “little guy” she decided to call “Sammy.”
He was horrified to discover that the seal had suffered serious facial injuries and critical back injuries in the hours since his last visit.
A veterinarian revealed that the animal’s spine was fractured and several ribs were broken.
Mrs Kaiser said seeing Sammy in agony had left her heartbroken.
‘He was allegedly attacked by a dog and its human. “His spine was broken in half, just to name one of his injuries,” he wrote on Facebook.
Victoria Police are appealing for witnesses after a juvenile subantarctic fur seal (pictured) was found with critical injuries at Bunga Beach, near Lakes Entrance, in eastern Victoria.
The juvenile seal (pictured) had to be euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
A Crime Stoppers spokesperson said human and dog tracks had been seen around the seal.
‘A qualified veterinarian assessed the seal and discovered a spinal fracture and multiple rib fractures. “The animal was later euthanized due to the severity of the injuries,” they said.
‘(The resident) also claimed to have seen a large stick next to the animal that was not there before.
“This matter is being investigated by the authorities and evidence has been collected.”
Kaiser wrote that the animal had no chance of survival.
“It really hurt me to see little Sammy so peaceful and, just a few hours later, the damage we humans can cause,” she wrote online.
“Rest in peace, little Sammy.”
A local resident was horrified to discover that the baby seal had suffered serious facial injuries (pictured) and critical back injuries in the hours since she last checked on the animal.
Several of Sammy’s ribs were broken and his spine had been broken in half (X-ray is shown in the photo)
The Conservation Regulator is investigating the incident and Melbourne Zoo will conduct a necropsy to determine how the seal died.
All wildlife, including seals, are protected by Victorian law, and it is illegal to harm, disturb, touch or come within 30 meters of them on land.
Violators can face fines of more than $49,000 or 12 months in prison if convicted of animal cruelty and pet owners can face fines of almost $5,000 if their pet attacks, injures or chases wildlife.
The Conservation Regulator has urged anyone with information to report confidentially to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.