Beware of sea lions lazing on beaches

Bunbury beaches are expected to have an increase in marine visitors in the coming weeks and environmental experts are warning people to take care.

Australian sea lions and New Zealand and Sub-Antarctic fur seals will be resting on South West beaches or swimming close to shore as they make their way north, according to Department of Parks and Wildlife.

The department is warning that while the seals can be a fascinating experience, beachgoers should leave the creatures alone and maintain a safe distance.

The warning follows a report of a Sub-Antarctic fur seal resting at Binningup Beach last month.

Dolphin Discovery Centre operations manager and marine biologist Phil Coulthard said while he had not spotted any seals around Bunbury yet, the creatures would be making their way north for the breeding season.

Mr Coulthard said people who saw a sea lion should take care and report the sighting to DPaW, especially if the seal looked injured.

“Give them plenty of space, don’t treat them as a pet dog and keep pets well away too,” he said.

“The sea lions are resting, but they are very big animals that can cause a lot of harm.”

DPaW wildlife officer Cameron Craigie said people often mistake resting seals as sick or abandoned and attempt to help them.

“Such intervention can cause these animals to become highly stressed and can lead to a deterioration in health,” he said.

”While feeding them inappropriate foods can cause sickness and in some cases death — the best thing people can do is leave seals undisturbed.”

Report injured seals to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.