Sydney Aquarium Dugongs at Sydney Aquarium?

[Jarkari]

So the leopard seals really are on contraceptives at Taronga?

"they aren't there because the zoo planned on capturing leopard seals or displaying them"

Oh. So what does the 2008 ASMP say about 'unplanned' leopard seals at Taronga?

"That is very different from planning what will be a unsuccessful and very short term breeding program."

It's great to hear that Taronga has changed its views on this.

"The leopard seals are in NSW as that is where they washed up and lowering amount of transport is better for the animals, also name one place in the lower states with the facilities"

So the fact institutions in the southern states may not have the facilities for leopard seals means Taronga should keep these animals? Taronga has the facilities for Sub-antarctic fur seals but does not keep them. They are not on their want list. The history of captive leopard seals may suggest that they should not be kept in captivity at all, especially at Taronga!

Glyn originally wrote:
"educational impact of dugong display. ok, well considering that the major threats to dugongs directly are boat injuries and sea-grass die-off; both of which are direct human impacts i feel if seaworld was interested in the conservation-education of this species and having maximum impact than they would be better off keeping them in their range state."

Hence my response. As threats to leopard seals include climate change, habitat degradation and competition for food, the same point Glyn raised for dugongs could be raised for leopard seals. Please take quotes in the context they were written.

From what I heard, and I can't remember where, possibly the news or the zoo or something but given the seals are so far away from where they should be the zoo is not permitted to release. Correct me if I'm wrong. . . sorry back to the dugongs

 

[boushh_rat]

Hi Jarkari,

It's like tennis with Sydney Aquarium dugongs and Taronga Zoo leopard seals! Permits are not allowed to re-release rehabilitated southern polar seals such as leopard, elephant and Sub-antarctic fur seals into Antarctic and Sub-antarctic waters. There is the fear of disease transmission. However, these animals can be released at the site of capture or even in Tasmanian waters. This is my understanding of the situation anyway.

Taronga has got much PR out of re-releasing its leopard seals when they had enough animals for their captive program. The morals of re-releasing a previously compromised animal that is out of its range (depending on your point of view) at the place it washed up compromised are questionable. Dump off Sydney Heads and hope for the best. A young southern elephant seal that was re-released by Taronga was done so with far more consideration (and expense), with a satellite tag and in Tasmania. She managed to make it almost to Macquarie Island before the sat transmission was lost - hopefully not because she was the right size for an orca offspring training camp.