A week of growing concern for George the elephant seal, who is visibly thinner and increasingly withdrawn, while a second, healthier elephant seal named Molly made a brief appearance at Nautilus Bay. A clawless otter paid George a curious visit, and the week closed with a report of a deceased sub-antarctic fur seal on Diaz beach.
George the Elephant Seal: Growing Concern
📍 Location: Withheld at the landowner’s request 📅 Date: Monday 3, and 6–7 August 👤 Support: HAH veterinary team; Stefanie, Cailin, Val
- On Monday the HAH stalwarts visited George and gave him a second rabies vaccination. He has not moved from his mud wallow and is lethargic.
- Stefanie, Cailin and Val visited George on the 6th and 7th and tried to interest him in some pilchards and calamari. Sadly, he did not respond much.
- He is getting visibly thinner, and we are concerned about his health.
- He has been visited by a clawless otter, whose tracks were in the mud all around him. Hopefully this animal enjoyed the fishy morsels we left in the vicinity.
🦭 Status: Lethargic, thinner and not responding to food offered. Closely monitored.
Second Elephant Seal, Molly: Nautilus Bay
📍 Location: Nautilus Bay 📅 Date: Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 August
- A second elephant seal hauled out at Nautilus Bay, a charming female who has been named Molly.
- She is in much better condition than George, and stayed until Saturday 8th.
🦭 Status: In good condition. Departed on her own after four days.
Deceased Sub-Antarctic Fur Seal, Diaz Beach
📍 Location: Diaz Beach 📅 Date: Sunday 9 August (today)
- We received photos and a report of a deceased sub-antarctic fur seal on Diaz beach. The drenching rain, hail and thunder prevented us from going down, but we will see if we can find it tomorrow.
🐾 Status: Reported but not yet retrieved. Weather permitting, follow-up planned for Monday.
Till next week, go well. 🐾