What will happen to the seal that has split a seaside community

The seal that has divided a Bellarine Peninsula community will be assessed by vets at Melbourne Zoo and relocated, provided it’s healthy.

The animal arrived in St Leonards about three weeks ago and settled at the boat ramp, with some locals loving it but others, including local fisherman, left annoyed.

Brian Hamer is the regional manager for the conservation regulator at the Department of Environment and told Neil Mitchell there was concern for the seal’s welfare.

“We’ll be working with the marine response unit from Melbourne Zoo and expect to have the seal’s wellbeing assessed today, with the aim for it to be transported to the Melbourne Zoo veterinary facilities where it will be assessed and receive further expert care,” he explained.

“Pending a positive health outcome today, we expect the seal will be relocated some distance away, potentially around Cape Otway.

“That way it doesn’t pop back up into the same area.

“If we were to relocate within a short distance, there’s no doubt it’d go back to the same area because it’s comfortable with where it has been so far.”

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