ST. CLAIR’S SEA LION

Evening Star, Issue 22277, 2 March 1936, Page 8

ST. CLAIR’S SEA LION

STARTLED BY AEROPLANE EXCITEMENT AT BEACH CARNIVAL Sea lions evidently do not like aeroplanes, for “Joey,” the visitor to St., Clair, was rudely disturbed when Flying-officer Campbell came over the Esplanade on Saturday evening to entertain the crowd at the St. Clair carnival. . . - Difficulty had been experienced m keeping the animal away from the carnival, where he had becomes, nuisance, and he was endeavoring *o make his way over a hurdle which had been erected to bar his progress when the aeroplane flew overhead. Immediately “ Joey ” took fright, slithered his way down the concrete steps leading from the Esplanade, and. plunged headlong into the sea, immediately submerging and coming to the surface again only when the outer line of,breakers hadbeen passed. During Saturday afternoon it was found necessary to coop up the sea lion in a pen at the back of the hand rotunda, where he attracted considerable public interest, but in the evening it was decided that it was .time to endeavour to take him back to the sea. After much persuasion he was coaxed to the Esplanade and down the steps to the beach, but immediately made a determined attack _ on the trestles’ erected to prevent his return to the gay whirl of the carnival. Obstacles at the foot of the steps were quickly surmounted, and he was surveying the hurdle at the top of the steps when the aeroplane arrived and solved the problem for the carnival organisers. Just before the carnival concluded at’ midnight “ Joey ” returned from the sea, and caused a stampede among those who were still enjoying some of the games. One young lady who was in evening dress was not o,uick enough, and the animal’s jaws closed on portion of her clothing, and as she dashed away he retained it. Recent annoying of the sea lion (in some cases the practice of real cruelty) has caused him to be less docile than before, and people would be well advised to treat him with more respect. Several days ago a man was bitten on the deg below the knee, and had to receive medical treatment.