Motorists travelling through Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula were met with an unusual and charming roadblock when a sleeping seal brought traffic to a temporary standstill. The unexpected encounter created a rare scene for drivers, who were forced to pause their journeys as the drowsy marine mammal calmly rested on the roadway, turning what could have been a frustrating delay into a memorable spectacle.
Following several reports of a live seal basking in the sun on the road in the popular coastal area, police were called to manage traffic along Point Nepean Road in Dromana, near Anthony’s Nose Beach, at about 9 AM, as the unexpected marine mammal caused a slight disruption for passing motorists, according to 9News.
Motorists travelling along the busy roadway spotted the seal, known locally as "Sammy", fast asleep on the left-hand side of the road, creating an unusual sight for passing drivers and prompting concern for the animal’s safety.
There were delays of up to five minutes as police directed traffic and worked to safely relocate Sammy. To protect the marine animal, lanes in both directions were closed for several hours, with traffic cones placed around the area and motorists advised to avoid the stretch while the rescue operation was underway.
By 1 p.m., all lanes had reopened after Sammy was successfully moved away from traffic, bringing the temporary disruption to an end. Zoos Victoria's Marine Response Unit (MRU) responded to the incident, and VicTraffic confirmed that Sammy was safely returned to the water, 9News reported.
Seals are a familiar sight along the Mornington Peninsula, though the Marine Response Unit warns the public not to approach them, as they can become dangerous if they sense any kind of threat. Sammy, in particular, is known as a regular wanderer in the popular tourist region, with locals often spotting the seal during its frequent excursions out of the water.
Following several reports of a live seal basking in the sun on the road in the popular coastal area, police were called to manage traffic along Point Nepean Road in Dromana, near Anthony’s Nose Beach, at about 9 AM, as the unexpected marine mammal caused a slight disruption for passing motorists, according to 9News.
Motorists travelling along the busy roadway spotted the seal, known locally as "Sammy", fast asleep on the left-hand side of the road, creating an unusual sight for passing drivers and prompting concern for the animal’s safety.
There were delays of up to five minutes as police directed traffic and worked to safely relocate Sammy. To protect the marine animal, lanes in both directions were closed for several hours, with traffic cones placed around the area and motorists advised to avoid the stretch while the rescue operation was underway.
By 1 p.m., all lanes had reopened after Sammy was successfully moved away from traffic, bringing the temporary disruption to an end. Zoos Victoria's Marine Response Unit (MRU) responded to the incident, and VicTraffic confirmed that Sammy was safely returned to the water, 9News reported.
Seals are a familiar sight along the Mornington Peninsula, though the Marine Response Unit warns the public not to approach them, as they can become dangerous if they sense any kind of threat. Sammy, in particular, is known as a regular wanderer in the popular tourist region, with locals often spotting the seal during its frequent excursions out of the water.
