The Seal in Marrickville

A long nosed fur seal appears, and then disappears in the Cooks River, Marrickville

By ALEC SMART

In early 2026, a seal was spotted swimming in the Cooks River. It was first reported on 22 February and witnesses raised concerns about its health due to its unusually slender physique, and the fact it was seen in the Cooks River!

Observed 6-8km inland from the river mouth in Kyeemagh, in the mid-stream vicinity of Tempe - Marrickville, the seal was purported to be emaciated and perhaps stricken. Over the next week or so, it was spotted lazing on the sandy river bank around Muddy Creek at Kyeemagh and further upstream on a slab of concrete at the water’s edge in Marrickville. Observers posted photos on social media, stimulating debates about its apparently poor health.

Fur seals are common in Sydney Harbour (one, a long-nosed fur seal named ‘Benny’, was first observed in 2014 lounging on the VIP steps leading down to the harbour at the Sydney Opera House, and returns frequently). However, they are exceptionally rare visitors to the heavily polluted, industrial environment of the Cooks River. 

ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia), the 1985-founded seal, dugong and cetacean rescue and response charity, dispatched volunteers to monitor the seal’s condition. They recorded that it was unusually thin, but didn’t appear terminally ill. 

Kekeno, the long nose

Wildlife experts identified it as an Australasian fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri, also known as a New Zealand fur seal – or kekeno in Māori. Distinguished from the Australian fur seal by its darker coat, pointed snout, and long, pale whiskers, the Australasian species is more commonly known as a long nosed fur seal. 

Long nosed fur seals are smaller than the larger Australian fur seal (males weigh up to 100kg, females up to 35kg).

The long nosed fur seal is known for its incredible diving capabilities – longer and deeper than other seals – with males reaching depths of 380 metres for durations of up to 15 minutes.

It is highly adapted to ocean life and feeds on cephalopods (squids and octopi), and schooling fishes, such as redbait and lanternfishes. 

According to the Tasmanian Government’s Department of Natural Resources, “unlike the Australian fur seal, it also consumes seabirds such as little penguins and shearwaters.”

The species was nearly driven to extinction as a result of the commercial sealing era (late 1790s to late 1800s). For example, according to the Seal Conservation Society, “a single two-year period in 1814–1815 saw an estimated 400,000 skins taken from just the sub-Antarctic Antipodes Islands.” 

They were hunted for their thick, valuable pelts – used in the fickle fashion industry for coats, hats, and glove linings - and their blubber, which was rendered into oil. Their skins were also tanned to create various types of leather. However, it is now listed as of “least concern” on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) ‘Red List’ of threatened species. 

Tasmania’s Dept. Natural Resources estimate the Australia-wide population to be around 58,000, whereas the Australian Museum estimates it to be around 80,000 individuals. 

By contrast, the Seal Conservation Society consider the population to be over 100,000, and the combined Australasian population to be in excess of 200,000 and increasing.

Harem habitué

The species lives an average of 14-19 years, although they can reach a maximum age of around 25 years. Males tend to live a shorter life because they fight for breeding territories, which takes a massive toll on their energy and physical health. As a result they’re much more vulnerable to injury and disease.

A single, dominant male will typically oversee a ‘harem’ of 5 to 9 females, although large, strong males may guard territories containing up to 40 females. 

Long-nosed fur seals are polygynous, meaning that the male will mate with multiple females, yet the females will only mate with that single male. 

Another characteristic of the long nosed fur seal and its cousins (there are eight species of fur seals in the southern hemisphere and one in the northern), is that unlike the ‘true’ seals – family Phocidae – they have visible ear flaps instead of holes.

Furthermore, they have reversible rear flippers for better movement on land. Fur seals are of the family Otariidae, along with sea lions. They can raise their body onto their front flippers to confront predators and rivals or propel themselves forward, instead of slithering along the ground like a slug. 

(Walruses can also rise up and shuffle on their front and rear flippers, but they are of the family odobenidae.)

Although it’s unusual to see a seal in the Cooks River, they have been witnessed on several occasions. For example, a man named Michael reported on a Marrickville community Facebook page that a seal had been seen in the vicinity in January 2023.

St George & Sutherland Leader reported one in the lower reaches of the Cooks River in Nov 2012.

Departure debates

On 2 March 2026, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Cooks River fur seal appeared ‘skeletal’. A Guardian article published the same day, quoting ORRCA spokesperson Craig Ryan, reported it to be in a “declining condition.”

Ryan added, “Normally seals stray closer to the coast, they’re not regularly viewed in these locations… It might need to get some rest away from predators, and new places to find food.”

Both articles featured photos by marine photographer Tim Gillard, one of which featured the creature sleeping on a slab with the Wolli Creek high-rise apartments behind on the opposite riverbank.

However, on 3 March, a local named Julia posted a photo on the Wolli Creek Community Facebook page, revealing the seal had died. The photo showed what appeared to be a seal corpse resting on the muddy riverbank amidst oyster-encrusted rocks beneath the Wolli Creek Bridge, adjacent to the Cahill Park children’s playground.

ORRCA countered with the comment: “This seal is resting and needs to be allowed space. There is an exclusion zone of 40m around seals when they haul out on land. Penalties apply for encroaching.

We anticipate the seal to go back in the water to feed on around dusk.”

ORRCA then replied directly to Julia: “ORRCA assessed this seal again this morning (Tuesday 3rd March) and it is alive, intermittently entering the water. We continue to ask members of the public to call in any sightings to the ORRCA 24/7 Hotline on (02) 9415 3333 so we can continue to assess its condition over the coming days.”

While Julia insisted the seal was dead – her photo showed its lifeless head submerged in the river, its tail flippers on the muddy bank – ORRCA replied, “Julia this is the same seal. Thank you for your care and concern, we’ve been actively tracking and assessing him each day at various locations along the Cooks River. If spotted again, please call through to the ORRCA Rescue Hotline.”

Resurrection

On 5 March, a woman named Moya shared a video to a Marrickville community Facebook page showing a seal frolicking in the water adjacent to Wanstead Reserve Playground in Earlwood. This aroused speculation that there were in fact two seals in the same vicinity – improbable but not impossible.

As the Sydney Morning Herald declared on 2 March, “Seals are frequent visitors to Sydney Harbour and occasionally Botany Bay, but they are not often seen in the highly urbanised and polluted Cooks River.”

On 12 March ORRCA posted on its Instagram page revealing they had received multiple reports of long nosed and Australian fur seals spotted along the east coast, some troubled. 

“While both Australian and Long-Nosed fur seals are regular visitors to our coastline year-round, periods of wild weather can sometimes lead to more sightings and haul-outs. Seals may come ashore to rest, recover or shelter before heading back to sea. Our responders are currently actively monitoring several seals between Sydney and the far South Coast, including a number of individuals with known injuries or poor body condition.”

ORRCA advice.

If you come across a seal:

🔹Give it plenty of space to rest. You must remain at least 40m away (or 80m if it’s a pup)

🔹Keep dogs and other pets well away to avoid any disturbance

🔹Call the ORRCA 24/7 Rescue Hotline on (02) 9415 3333 to let us know it’s location