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Rescued seal returns to wild following Sydney storms

Xinhua, June 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

An 18-month-old fur seal has been released back into the wild after he was rescued from Sydney's recent storms.

Taronga Zoo announced on Wednesday the seal, nicknamed "Elvis'", was found exhausted and malnourished on June 17 on Sydney's northern beaches following storms that battered the city.

Taronga Zoo's senior veterinarian Larry Vogelnest said that it was a terrific outcome.

"He was initially a bit hesitant to get in the water, but eventually he dived in and started swimming strongly," Vogelnest said.

"He's one of the lucky ones. He was pretty feisty when he first arrived at the hospital, which was a good indicator that he'd be a suitable candidate for short term care and release."

"Elvis" was given antibiotics, fluids, and fed a diet of fresh fish, which led to a quick recovery.

ORRCA vice president Shona Lorigan added that Elvis was part of a sudden spike of young seals running into trouble in and around Sydney.

"Our belief is that this year's large numbers are the result of a very successful pupping season in 2014-2015, combined with the huge storms earlier this month that really smashed the little seals around," Lorigan noted. Endit