Concern for seal’s future
WILDLIFE carers are awaiting confirmation that the leopard seal that visited Kingscliff last Tuesday was the same one that was spotted ashore in Newcastle nine days before.
The seal was found about 7am on Tuesday September 2 on North Kingscliff Beach and headed back out to sea just before 11.30am.
The seal has not been seen since and there are concerns for its wellbeing.
Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia president Ronny Ling said the seal would have significantly depleted fat reserves after coming from the Antarctic.
"We really are concerned about the seal's body conditions," Mr Ling said.
He said if the seal was taken into captivity, it wouldn't be able to be re-released.
Experts would compare markings in photos of both seals to see if they were the same one.
There have been at least five seal sightings on NSW beaches since June.
Sightings can be reported to ORRCA on 02 9415 3333.
