Seal put down after being driven over at popular beach

A “severely injured” seal was put down by Albany rangers after it was run over on Cheyne Beach earlier this month.

According to Cheynes Beach Caravan Park assistant manager Emma O’Callaghan, the seal had been resting on the beach for several days before the incident as it was unwell.

Ms O’Callaghan said she called the rangers on November 17 after a woman notified her about visible tyre tracks on the animal.

“She said it looked terrible and I mentioned that it had been sick but she said ‘no, I could see tyre tracks right over the middle of it’.”

A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokesperson confirmed the seal had been run over and advised beach-goers to take care on the beaches.

“A ranger was immediately sent to investigate the report and determined that a vehicle had driven over the animal,” they said. “As a result of the severity of the injuries, the seal was euthanised.”

Ms O’Callaghan said it was a very sad incident.

“It wasn’t in a good way, so I don’t know if someone thought they’d be putting it out of it’s misery, but it’s certainly not up to them to make that decision and give the seal the worst ending of its life,” she said.

“We have people on the beach that maybe don’t think very well sometimes, might be a bit young and people drink on the beach, so sometimes they do the wrong thing.

“But obviously we don’t know what actually happened.

“I think sometimes people need to think about what the beaches are actually for and that animals may be there using them for their everyday life, so maybe more respect and care needs to be taken.”