Injured sea lion spotted in Bunbury after likely shark attack

An injured juvenile sea lion was spotted in Bunbury last week, floating motionless beside a mooring in the Casuarina Boat Harbour after likely being attacked by a shark, but it is expected to recover.

The Dolphin Discovery Centre was alerted to the endangered mammal after a passing boatie called it in on Friday morning, concerned it might be tangled in mooring lines.

DCC executive manager Axel Grossman said the centre informed the Parks and Wildlife Service and sent out a drone pilot to inspect the sea lion.

“Luckily, he gave the all clear — the animal wasn’t entangled at all,” Mr Grossman said.

“It was getting swooped by sea birds and probably used that mooring line as a bit of a shelter there.

“While observing it, he noticed that the animal had sustained some injuries, especially around its flippers.”

However, Mr Grossman said the sea lion’s behaviour wasn’t uncommon, as they often rested on the waters surface or on the land in a process known as “thermoregulation”.

“This animal probably comes from the colony around Cape Naturaliste — so it’s quite a long way from home — and may have gotten attacked over the last few days,” he said.

“The wound wasn’t bleeding anymore, so it started healing, but it looks like it came into the shallow areas to just find some shelter and peace and calm and quiet to recuperate.”

Mr Grossman said the shape of the wound suggested the predator may have been a cookiecutter shark, but it was difficult to tell how significant the injuries were.

“At the end of the day, it is a natural injury,” Mr Grossman said.

“They’ve got pretty good healing powers, these animals.

“Most of the time, a cookiecutter shark injury or small shark might not be a deadly injury for that animal, but it just needs to rest and heal, and then it continues with its life.”

“There’s only about 14,000 to 15,000 left in all of Australia, and therefore every life is important. However, a natural injury as such, like a bite wound, there is nothing that can be done. That’s the circle of life.”

Mr Grossman urged the public to give the sea lion distance while it healed.

Anyone who notices marine wildlife in distress is encouraged to call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 or the Dolphin Discovery Centre on 9791 3088.