Misc: Australian Seal Loves Chocolate?

Australian Seal Creates Traffic Problems

Perhaps it was the smell of chocolate wafting from the Cadbury factory nearby.

Motorists reported the bull seal's errant stroll from the Derwent River estuary and on to Cadbury Road, which leads to the Australian home of the famed chocolate manufacturer, shortly after 10.20pm (AEST).

The busy road serves the neighbourhood in the Cadbury Estate, near the factory, and was packed with traffic because a shift had just finished at the plant.

"We had two units nearby that had finished with another job, although I think the other unit just went down for a look, and there was a big, fat bull seal in the middle of the road,'' Tasmania Police spokesman Constable Stuart Franklin said.

"Using a combination ushering and shouting, and using their vehicles, they managed to get him back into the water.

"He (the seal) was a bit upset. He was making lots of funny noises.''

It took less than 10 minutes for the police, from the nearby Glenorchy station, to coax the seal back across a grassed reserve and into the river, Constable Franklin said.

Police have advised members of the public not to approach seals out of the water because they may bite if they feel threatened.

"We get the odd one coming out of the water but its unusual for them to get on the road,'' Constable Franklin said.

"They can come out of the estuary but usually not so far from Hobart and not out of such a sheltered bay.''