Sightings of 'Sammy' the seal lying next to dead birds spark concerns

Portland residents are expressing worry over sightings of the well-known elephant seal Sammy, who has been seen lying near dead birds. Authorities have been asked for a response. Some locals want more action taken to safeguard seals from the H5N1 virus. For seven years, local fisherman Scott Kempton has been maintaining Portland's slipways with boats, but over the past three weeks, he has been clearing dead birds with a long-handled shovel.

One day last week alone, 22 dead birds were removed from the slipway, according to the slipway operator. While some of the removal efforts aim to prevent the area from smelling, Kempton's main concern is the presence of Sammy, a famous seal. Locals have observed the multi-tonne seal resting near dead birds near one of Sammy's usual spots.

The first dead bird was a crested tern, which rested with Sammy for five or six hours. Residents are concerned Sammy may contract bird flu and tip over. The issue comes as Australia reports the first mammal death from bird flu in a long-nosed fur seal at Beachport on the state's Limestone Coast. Wildlife advocates are calling for authorities to protect the local seal icon and other seals.

Some residents have counted as many as 15 dead terns near Sammy. Antarctic ecologist Jane Younger reported that southern elephant seals like Sammy have been severely affected by the deadly bird flu on the subantarctic island of South Georgia, where tens of thousands of seal pups died from the virus. Younger said Sammy's isolation might help prevent infection, but he could still contract the virus from infected birds or the environment.

Removal of carcasses from Sammy's area could be considered, but it must be done safely. Back in Portland, Helen Oakley urged people to keep their distance from Sammy to ensure the seal's safety and that of the mammal. Residents are frustrated with what they perceive as inaction from authorities and want to see more done to protect Sammy and other seals from the threat of bird flu.