A wheat farmer has had the shock of his life after this morning he found a seal pup in his harvest.
Key points:
- A baby seal was found in a wheat crop on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
- Farmers say it was almost 3 km away from the coast
- The puppy was returned to the ocean
Located on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia in Mitchellville, farmer Ty Kaden said the puppy was nearly three miles off the coast.
“Our neighbor called me and said,‘ Quick, you better come and look, there’s a baby seal in our path, ”Kaden said.
“I thought I was just pulling on my leg to begin with.
“There was a small three-foot seal, on the edge of the wheat harvest.
“I’ve never seen them around this area.”
Farmers in the area are used to encountering pests, but Mr Kaden did not expect to find this puppy “very cute”.
He was picked up and returned to the ocean.
“He was thin, he’s been lost for a long time,” he said.
The seal seal was returned to the ocean and released. (Supplied by: Ty Kaden)
“We put a towel on her and put her in a plastic box in the ute.
“Probably about three miles from the beach through bushes, we let him go to the beach.
“Fortunately it was high tide, it was thrown into the water.
“I wish I had found some fish. I hope I survive.”
Aaron Machado, of the Australian Wildlife Research Rescue Organization, said he appeared to be an 18-month-old young man.
He said looking at the photos the seal looked “very sick, very malnourished.”
Machado said it was not uncommon for young seals to be far from the oceans, as they sometimes “get lost”.
“Very often at this time of year they wash,” he said.
Machado said the Australian Marine Wildlife Rescue Organization, which operates a 24-hour telephone service, receives between 3,000 and 6,000 calls a year about long-nosed seals.
Machado said that while he appreciated people’s “good intentions” in wanting to help, anyone with a stamp should contact their organization or the National Parks and Wildlife Service before approaching. -s’hi.
Marine mammals can carry a number of diseases and Machado said seeking advice first would protect both the animal and the individual.
“The safest option for people and the animal is to call before handling the animal,” he said.
Posted 5 hours 5 hours agoFrom July 7, 2022 at 5:54 AM, updated 2 hours ago 2 hours ago Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 9:22 AM