FLED FROM SHARKS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18817, 21 September 1935, Page 3

FLED FROM SHARKS

SEA-LION ON BEACH

SYDNEY, Sept. Id

Chased ashore by sharks, a 101’r. sea-lion was captured after a long struggle at M.aroubra Beach to-day. Only a fortnight ago one was caught at Beat Harbor, Cronulla. The Cronulla captive which measured Bft from nose to tail, died after haying been lied up on the beach all night, but to-day’s prize is “alive and jumping about in all directions,”

according to one of its captors. Thomas Nichols, of tli.e Maronbra Sutf Club, received a. shock when, the 10ft. animal waddled on Jo the beach to-day directly in front of the clubroom.

The animal had been chased into hallow water by sharks.

Several men were trying to capture it when someone roamed on to the the beach- with two greyhounds. The dogs made a wild rush at the strange object, and it i.s hard to say which received the greater fright. The sea lion let out a terrific beliow, and the. dogs turned and ran. The visitor hastily slipped into the water, but returned 15 minutes later. When some inert approached, it again rushed into the surf. Shortly before 11 a.in, it was reported near the .rocks at the southern end of the beach, and Charlie Cluytlor and a number of others hurried there, and after several attempts they managed to secure a rope round its thick neck.

The sea-loan leaped away in surprise, when the lassoo dropped over its neck, but with four men hanging on to the other ond of the trope, the animal could not go far. The sea-lion struggled and flapped with great strength, but it was unable to break free.

It bellowed loudly with rage, and soon a number of people were on the spot to view the. strange captive. The animal provided some humorous moments when he chased, and almost caught, cameramen and spec tutors who bad come -too near to it. An Alsatian dog surveyed, it from a distance, .tMul.ywkhly. nyid a off.