A precise and timely operation allowed to rescue a young elephant seal, which had become severely entangled in a motor strap. The animal had impaired mobility in one of its pectoral fins.
The operation was led by wildlife ranger Marcelo Franco, who used specialized cutting tools to free the animal. These tools were donated by the International Whaling Commission to the Coastal Fauna Network, facilitating interventions in entanglement cases like this one.
Thanks to his skill and knowledge, Franco managed to remove the object without causing additional injuries, returning the elephant seal the ability to move freely and continue its development in its natural habitat.
An environmental alert that allowed quick action
Days before the rescue, the Undersecretary of Environment of Chubut, Fernando Pegoraro, had detected the presence of the trapped animal. It was while conducting a sweep of fishing waste on the coast, particularly of abandoned fishing crates. After marking the location with GPS, he immediately notified the specialists.
This Wednesday, a rescue team composed of Marcelo Franco, along with researchers Ricardo Vera (CCT Conicet Cenpat Puerto Madryn) and Julieta Campaña (NGO Wildlife Conservation Society – WCS Argentina), accessed the location. To reach the exact site, they walked for over an hour and a half through a field located in the south of Peninsula Valdés, until they found the entangled specimen.
The threat of marine debris
This incident reflects the growing problem of “ghost” garbage, a term that refers to waste abandoned or lost in the ocean, such as ropes, nets, straps, and plastics. These elements, when adrift, become deadly traps for marine species, severely affecting biodiversity.
The case of the young entangled elephant seal is not isolated. Multiple records indicate that the impact of these negligent human actions continues to increase, endangering coastal fauna.
A key rescue for conservation
It is important to remember that, after the outbreak of avian influenza that severely affected this species last year, each individual has an incalculable value in the efforts to recover the population.
Therefore, interventions like this not only represent an act of animal protection, but are also fundamental in long-term conservation strategies.
Cover photo: El Chubut
