Authorities are searching for a rogue seal that was spotted waddling along city roads in Launceston early this morning.
Police received a report from a concerned resident who spotted the seal in Norwood around 6am on Thursday, with Marine Conservation Tasmania currently leading search efforts to locate the animal.
A spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) told Pulse that coastal marine mammals, including seals, are known to visit “Tasmania’s large estuaries and river systems, often coinciding with seasonal movements”.
“Seals may also come ashore but, in most cases, find their way back to the waterway,” they said.
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“Fur seals are wild animals and members of the public are reminded not to interfere with wildlife and keep their distance.”
It’s believed the seal may have reached Norwood after traveling down the North Esk River.
Anyone who encounters the seal or witnesses other strandings of marine mammals, like whales or dolphins, in Tasmania is asked to call the whale hotline on 0427 942 537 (0427 WHALES).
