Massive ‘agro’ elephant seal in Aussie city sparks warning for tourists

·Senior Video Producer

19 September 2024 at 1:17 am

Elephant seals often weigh over 3,000kg and can grow to almost four metres in length, with male adults posing a danger to humans and their pets.

Video transcript

A massive southern elephant seal that's ventured onto the banks of a river in Victoria has sparked a warning for people wanting to get a closer look.

While the seal is a regular visitor to the shores of Portland, authorities have warned anyone visiting the city to stay well away.

Elephant seals often weigh over 3000 kilogrammes and can grow to almost four metres in length, with male adults posing a danger to humans and their pets.

Witness and wildlife advocate Helen Oakley told Yahoo News Australia.

There was a school group, maybe 20 metres from it and the seal started getting grow and there was a lady with two dogs.

So I yelled at her and she backed up with her dog in Victoria.

The public must legally keep at least 30 metres away from a seal or 50 metres if they're walking a dog because pets can be seen as a threat.

That distance shrinks to five metres if you're on a jetty or a pier.

The seal has been affectionately named Sammy, but Oakley is concerned that giving him a human name has created a false impression that the wild animal isn't a danger, she said.

Everyone thinks it's super friendly, but he's a massive elephant seal and he's not happy

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