Concerns for ‘declining’ fur seal spotted at Cooks River in inner Sydney

Concerns for ‘declining’ fur seal spotted at Cooks River in inner Sydney Long-nosed fur seal seen on banks of waterway in city’s inner west similar to those occasionally found outside Sydney Opera House Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A seal has been spotted in an inner western Sydney river, prompting a response from wildlife rescue teams who worry it may be in poor health. However the National Parks and Wildlife Service said there were no obvious health concerns, and they were keeping track of the animal’s movements. Pictures posted to social media showed the seal resting on a slab of concrete by the water’s edge at the Cooks River in Marrickville on Saturday. “Not very often you see a seal in the Cooks River,” Tim Gillard, who took the photos, said. The Cooks River runs through inner suburbs to the south-west of the CBD, and empties into Gamay/Botany Bay next to Sydney airport. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Gillard called the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia who sent a rescue team to the scene. Orrca spokesperson Craig Ryan said the organisation, which rescues seals and dugongs as well as cetaceans, had been monitoring the animal since it was seen on Sunday 22 February near the river mouth in Kyeemagh, and were continuing to assess the situation. The seal had explored several small creeks that flow into the Cooks: the group received reports of it “behind the bay” in Muddy Creek, and most recently in Wolli Creek and Earlwood. The seal was last reported to Orrca on Sunday morning and Ryan said the group is “ready to respond” to any more sightings. “Normally seals stray closer to the coast, they’re not regularly viewed in these locations,” he said. Ryan said the seal appeared to be in a “declining condition”. “It might need to get some rest away from predators, and new places to find food.” Dr Vanessa Pirotta at Macquarie University said marine mamm...