Stay away from sea lion, observers warned

Basking in the sun and raiding crab pots, a male sea lion has been living large on the Esperance coast.

Taking residence at Bandy Creek, the fully grown bull is estimated to be about 2m long and weigh over 200kg.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Esperance district nature conservation co-ordinator Stephen Butler said those wanting to observe the animal should take the necessary precautions.

Mr Butler said people should stay 20m away from the sea lion at all times due to the animal’s capacity to inflict severe bite wounds and its ability to move at impressive bursts of speed.

Animal-borne diseases carried by sea lions with the potential to transfer to humans, such as tuberculosis, were another good reason to keep a reasonable distance, he added.

Mr Butler said the bull may have been attracted to Bandy Creek by crabbing in the area.

“He’s raiding the crab pots for the bait,” he said.

“There’s opportunistic feeding going on here and that can potentially attract an animal to hang around.”

Holiday accommodation provider Esperance Chalet Village is a two-minute walk from Bandy Creek.

Business co-owner Fiona Shillington said a guest walking their dog was given a fright by the sea lion.

“The golden retriever was getting his ball … and the sea lion literally came out of the water and frightened the life out (them),” she said.

The 200kg sea lion basks at Bandy Creek.