ScienceQuiet 31d · day 32
Portland locals urge protection for celebrity elephant seal Sammy as bird flu spreads
Residents of Portland, Victoria fear H5N1 bird flu could kill the beloved elephant seal after he was seen resting for hours beside dead seabirds
What to know
- Locals in Portland, Victoria fear celebrity elephant seal Sammy could contract H5N1 bird flu after being seen resting beside dead birds for hours.
- Australia has confirmed its first bird-flu death in a seal (a long-nosed fur seal in South Australia), heightening concern for other seal populations.
- An expert notes Sammy's solitary behaviour may limit seal-to-seal spread, but he remains at risk from infected birds or the environment.
- Wildlife advocates are calling for carcass removal near Sammy and for the public to keep a safe distance from the animal.
“If the seal does attack anyone it gets euthanased, so please follow guidelines to protect it all costs,”
Helen Oakley, Portland wildlife advocate · bluesky (ABC News) · Aug 24
Sammy Celebrity southern elephant seal at Portland, VictoriaScott Kempton Portland slipway operatorHelen Oakley Portland wildlife advocateJane Younger Antarctic ecologist, University of TasmaniaLynn Murrell Portland resident
The record 5 articles and posts · last 30 days
What people are saying 2 voices from 1 site · verbatim
- Aug 25
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Portland residents are calling for authorities to protect a celebrity elephant seal known as Sammy from the bird flu outbreak.
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Sightings of 'Sammy' the seal lying near dead birds in Portland spark community concerns