An endangered Australian sea lion, who has been calling Mooloolaba home, has jetted-off to Taronga Zoo in an effort to help recover the dwindling population of this native species.
April the sea lion left her home at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium for the Sydney zoo – where it’s hoped she will partner with a male sea lion during a six-month stay – before heading back to the Sunshine Coast.
She was transported safely on a commercial flight with the help of JetPets.
Australian Sea-lion (Neophoca cinerea) – DCCEEW says the sea lion population is estimated to be 11,200 individuals, spread among 67 breeding colonies, and only found in Australian waters.
Sea lions have a longer gestation period than other mammals, meaning a new pup won’t arrive until 2024.
SEA LIFE’s mammals manager Carla Haskell said staff were extremely grateful to have the opportunity to potentially breed the rare Australian animal.
“This incredible endangered species is the only endemic pinniped in Australian waters,” Ms Haskell said.
“April is one of only two Australian sea lions at SEA LIFE, who are both female, which is why we are working with our friends at Taronga Zoo.
“We are sad to see April leave us for six months, but it will be an amazing achievement for her to breed as this species is under threat from interactions with the commercial fishing industry and habitat degradation.
Ms Haskell said Australian sea lions have a gestation period of 17-18 months, so, if this attempt is successful, in 2024 we could have the first seal pup born at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast since Teiko arrived in 1997.
The team sent April off with a special cake made of fish and ice.
With one resident of Seal Island temporarily departing – a new resident has arrived – an 18-month-old long-nosed fur seal pup named Birubi.
The small female seal relocated to the Sunshine Coast from Taronga Zoo last week.
Birubi was transported in a purposely designed transport crate before she boarded a commercial flight from Sydney to Maroochydore Airport with the help of JetPets.
Birubi is an Indigenous name meaning ‘Southern Cross’.
She was born to first-time mum Keke and was the first long-nosed fur seal pup to be born at Taronga Zoo in over 20 years.
SEA LIFE mammal trainer Jess Hart said relocating any animal comes with months of planning and preparation.
“We’re so excited to share that Birubi has arrived safely and is settling in well,” Ms Hart said.
“Her confidence is already shining through, and her new trainers will slowly begin socialising her with the other seals within the colony.
“Birubi is now the smallest resident at the aquarium’s Seal Island, weighing just 12kg. She will act as an important ambassador for her species educating thousands of guests who visit SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast each year about the important role seals play in our marine ecosystems.”
Long-nosed fur seals are one of the world’s most widely distributed seal species, naturally ranging from New Zealand, down to the sub-Antarctic Islands and across much of Australia’s southern and eastern coastline, including the Sunshine Coast.
Seals visiting Sunshine Coast beaches are often observed both in the water or hauled out on land.
Some seals spotted close to shore are observed to be ‘sailing’, a behaviour which allows seal to thermoregulate where they will float on the surface presenting a flipper out of the water in effort to catch a cool sea breeze.
This behaviour can often lead to concerns from residents often misinterpreted as a call for help.
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