Records of sick, injured and dead pinnipeds in Western Australia 1980-1996

The management of stranded pinnipeds is often well publicized and there is strong public empathy for these animals. However, few data are available on the frequency with which sick, injured and dead pinnipeds are encountered or on the success of any applied management. This study presents what is known of stranded pinnipeds in Western Australia during the period 1980- 1996. A total of 244 pinnipeds of six species were recorded sick, injured or dead during the 17 year period 1980-1996, of which 179 (73.4%) were encountered dead or died subsequently. The most commonly encountered species was Neophoca cinerea (110, or 61.5% of records). Of the 179 animals, 51 (28.5%) died as a result of direct or indirect interaction with humans. Twenty (39%) of the deaths caused by humans were the result of violent events directed at the pinnipeds (shot, speared, or clubbed). The species most frequently killed by human activities was N. cinerea (n = 47). The most common cause of unnatural death was gunshot wounds (n = 16). The most common cause of natural deaths was respiratory conditions.