Hunt for attacker after badly injured baby seal dies on Victorian beach

A manhunt is underway aft a brutal onslaught connected a juvenile seal successful Victoria’s eastbound near a veterinarian with nary prime but to euthanise the animal.

A walker reported seeing the tiny sub-Antarctic fur seal unharmed and resting connected Lake Bunga Beach, eastbound of Lakes Entrance, astir 8am connected September 17.

The seal was resting connected Lake Bunga Beach earlier it was recovered injured.Credit: Crime Stoppers Victoria

Zoos Victoria’s Marine Response Unit agreed to support an oculus connected it but astir 10 hours later, astatine 6pm, the walker returned and recovered the seal with backmost injuries and wounds to its face.

The carnal was surrounded by quality and canine footprints, and a ample instrumentality — not antecedently determination — was adjacent to it.

A veterinarian assessed the seal and discovered it had captious injuries, including a spinal fracture and aggregate breached ribs. The vet euthanised the seal due to the fact that of the severity of its injuries.

The seal had captious injuries, including a fracture to its spine.Credit: Crime Stoppers Victoria

Melbourne Zoo experts volition behaviour a necropsy connected the seal to amended recognize the injuries that led to its death, Crime Stoppers Victoria said.

The Conservation Regulator is besides investigating the seal’s suspicious injuries.

People who harm seals successful Victoria look jailhouse clip of up to 12 months, and fines of astir $50,000 nether carnal cruelty laws. Pet owners look further fines of astir $5000 if their canine chases, attacks oregon injures wildlife.

The Conservation Regulator urged anyone with accusation to interaction Crime Stoppers.

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