The last confirmed sighting at Logans Beach was on September 14 where a cow – calf pair was reported. More recently, cow-calf pairs were spotted at Portland (September 17 and 21) and Narrawong (September 18).

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) natural environment program officer Mandy Watson said they left the region annually in September. “I think there’s the odd one in the Portland area,” Ms Watson said. “There were some seen at Bridgewater. There’s a few lingering, that’s what happens.”

She said it was likely the mammals had left to find food as they didn’t eat while they were in the region. “They come here for the habitat which is considerable for breeding, and then they go back to the habitat which provides their food.” 

Ms Watson said the season wasn’t “completely finished” and DELWP would write a summary report in the coming weeks.

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