Australians have taken out their anger on a crowd of people who gathered around a seal sunbathing on rocks in Sydney’s east.
A local shared a photograph on social media this week showing a group of around a dozen people just metres away from the fur seal at North End in Maroubra.
“People get too close, some almost touch it. It’s intimidating and can attack,” reads the caption.
The person who shared the photo said they were using a zoom lens and were very far from the beach.
Many Maroubra residents were angry that the crowd had not kept its distance.
“Humans can’t help it. Stay away and let the animal be in its natural environment,” one person said. “Go to the zoo if you want to see a seal up close.”
“Please respect the seal and don’t scare it,” said another.
“Why are people so stupid? Seals can become aggressive and someone can get hurt,” said a third.
“Leave it alone. Getting too close is dangerous for the seal and for them,” added a fourth.
An image of a group of onlookers just metres away from a fur seal sunbathing on rocks south of Sydney has sparked outrage.
According to the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, there are legal distances people must maintain from seals that venture ashore in the state, under the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2017.
“Seal approach distances are based on where they are located and whether a pup is present. A seal is considered to be a pup if it is up to half the length of an adult,” the NPWS said.
‘If a seal comes towards you, you must retreat to the minimum approach distance.
The department said seals come ashore to rest after foraging at sea, but if a seal feels threatened, it may display aggression by yawning, shaking its front flipper or head “or screaming.”
‘Seals are very agile and can move quickly on land, using all four limbs to run.
‘When taking a seal ashore, you must stay at least 40 metres away from the seal, 80 metres away from a seal pup and 100 metres away from the seal in the case of a drone.
‘Seals can often have wounds that look quite alarming but heal well without the need for veterinary assistance.
‘If you are concerned, please call National Parks and Wildlife on 1300 072 757 or the Organisation for Cetacean Rescue and Research in Australia (ORRCA) on 02 9415 3333 to have the animal checked and monitored.’
Individuals who break the law can be fined up to $1,320, while commercial operations can face fines of up to $3,300.
Seals often appear as far north as Sydney and Port Stephens, especially in winter.
A particularly playful animal was recently spotted circling the water in Mosman Bay on the city’s northern coast.
Sydney resident Jimmy Hazelwood was lucky enough to film the spectacular sight and said he was amazed to see one of these beloved mammals swimming in the wild.
The seal splashed around the jetty, spinning in circles before rising to the surface and spitting out a jet of water.
Hazelwood, who recently moved from New Zealand, told Daily Mail Australia she initially thought the large animal was a dog splashing in the water.
“I saw a lot of plastic trash and bottles piled up and thought, ‘Poor sea animal!’ A few seconds later, what I thought was a dog ran past me in the water,” she said.
‘He seemed to enjoy the attention and headed towards the Mosman Rowers Club.
“I’ve only ever seen trout and other fish in Mosman Bay, so it definitely seems out of the ordinary.”