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Abstract

A single specimen of the Sea Elephant (Mirounga leoninus)
visited the East Coast of Tasmania recently, and was
killed later by certain residents of Wedge Bay, Tasman Peninsula.
Its skeleton was secured for the Tasmanian Museum
Collection.
This -is the first record of this species visiting the island
for many years. Our historical records show that in the
early days of last century Sea Elephants occurred at such
places as King Island, Bass Straits, but excessive hunting
exterminated these large mammals, and Macquarie Island
is now their nearest home.
It would be interesting to know the usual range of
this species from its ordinary breeding grounds. Sea Leopards
(Ogmorhinus leptonyx) visit Tasmania fairly frequently,
as well as occasional Crested and King Penguins, so
there must be a fair proportion of Subantarctic types which
wander northwards.
Includes table of measurements and photographs.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Scott, Herbert Hedley and Lord, Clive Errol
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, RST, Van Diemens Land, natural history, science, ecology, taxonomy, botany, zoology, geology, geography, papers & proceedings, Australia, UTAS Library
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
ISSN:	0080-4703
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	Copyright Royal Society of Tasmania
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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