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Elephant Seals

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Subject: Elephant Seals
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Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000 11:53:34 +1000

From: Martin  on 25/01/2000 11:53 AM


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Subject:  Elephant Seals

                       Not bird related but of interest.

Southern Elephant Seals Mirounga leonina are generally found on sub-antartcic
islands of the Southern Ocean.  They return to land to moult from December to
February.  Victorian (Aust.) records are of stragglers, probably from Macquarie
Island and are mainly juveniles and moultuing subadult males.

There are currently only 50 records of the species in the Atlas of Victorian
Wildlife.  The most notable record was of a 3.3m male which swam up the
Maribyrnong River (Melb.) in 1975 where it remained ashore for 12 days while
completing its moult.

When you're out birding be sure to take note other wildlife.  It could be an
important observation.

Martin O'Brien
Executive Scientific Officer - Scientific Advisory Committee
Parks Flora and Fauna Division
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde.,
East Melbourne  3002
AUSTRALIA

Tel: 9412 4567
Fax: 9412 4586
(prefixes: Interstate 03 International 613)
email: 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Visit the Biodiversity section of the Department of Natural Resources and
Environment at:
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/conserv/biodiver.htm



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