An Australian sea lion was found dead on Adelaide’s North-South Motorway near the Port River Expressway at Dry Creek, after being struck by a vehicle.
The incident occurred around 6:00 am this morning, causing significant traffic disruptions.
Authorities had been alerted to the sea lion’s presence in the area the previous day. The state’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) responded to reports on Sunday, locating the animal near a bridge along the motorway.
Given the sea lion’s size, officials deemed relocation efforts too risky for both the animal and staff. They concluded the sea lion was not in immediate danger at that time.
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Eyewitnesses had attempted to guide the sea lion away from the roadway. One passer-by reported using a vehicle to help corral the animal under the bridge to a seemingly safer location. Despite these efforts, the sea lion ventured onto the motorway, leading to the fatal collision.
NPWS described the event as a “freak accident,” noting the rarity of sea lions venturing so far inland. They suggested the animal may have been disoriented or unwell, possibly influenced by recent environmental factors such as algal blooms affecting marine life in the region.
The Department for Environment and Water is conducting tests on the sea lion’s remains to check for diseases and determine if it was part of any research programs.
This incident underscores the challenges wildlife face when straying into urban areas and highlights the complexities involved in managing such situations.