BACK in 1989, then nine-year-old Shaun Ploenges had the best intentions as he fed this fur seal a fish on the Moyne River in Port Fairy.
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The seal had been near the wharf for some time, recovering from what vets discovered was an abscess on its lower body.
The vet gave the seal an injection of penicillin and encouraged members of the public to admire the mammal from afar.
Fisheries and Wildlife officer Peter Heylen said the abscess had probably been caused by the seal getting caught in a net.
“Now we just want the animal left alone, we’ll be monitoring its recovery,” he said.
“People must remember it is a wild animal and if it bites you, you’ll know about it.
‘Seals carry all sorts of infections in their mouths.”
While this seal was recovering from injury back then, the Port Fairy wharf is now a popular place for seals to call home. During the tuna season in particular, a very tame seal (or seals) stays close to the boat ramp as fisherman throw out what they don’t need from their catch.
