Leopard Seal - Atlantis Marine Park, Yanchep WA 1987

I don't think a Leopard Seal would fare well in captivity.

Why not Taronga Zoo seem to have done alright with the rescued ones they have kept.

I was just thinking about this leopard seal because I was watching some videos on youtube about killer whales in captivity. Thought someone might have written about his death so I googled him and found this page.

I met him many years ago. He committed suicide in around 1986/7 inside of a year of my paining his enclosure. He beat himself to death by bashing his head against the wall. They said it was an ear problem, parasite?. I didn't think so. He was beautiful and amazing and I wondered how he could stand to be in such a small pool. He often swam to me and interacted with me in the way you see him do with his trainer in your photo.
If I remember correctly he was not so much of a rescue, he had gotten off course a bit and they picked him up off the coast not far from the metro area. He would have done perfectly well if left alone.
I am against keeping non domestic animals in captivity for any purpose other than their rehabilitation.

Doing a bit of research into Perth zoos today, I realised that this photo has been used (stolen!) extensively by others for websites on Perth history, the Atlantis park, etc....it's even in youtube videos!! Some have even added a credit to pass off the photo as their own.

Not bad for a snap I took as an 18 year old (although even then I couldn't quite believe that I had happened upon an actual Leopard Seal.........I didnt know it was going to be there).

Oh well......you post a picture that you think others will be interested in....and they are.....can't really complain.......but I sort of understand those who copyright them now.