Seal survey in the Great Australian Bight region of Western Australia

In December 1996, a survey by helicopter of the Baxter Cliffs region of the Great Australian Bight in Western Australia did not locate any previously unreported colonies of the Australian sea lion or New Zealand fur seal. Alt hough geologically contiguous with the Bunda Cliffs in South Australia (whe re sea lions have a scattered distribution), the Baxter Cliffs appeared gen erally more weathered and stable, with fewer collapsed sections of cliff fo rming platforms and providing habitat for seals. In total, 29 Australian sea lions were observed during the survey. Most wer e at a previously surveyed site approximately 2 km west of Twilight Cove. T en other sites were recorded as potentially providing haul-out opportunity for sea lions; they were mainly caves and deep overhangs with access from t he sea. No fur seals were seen. From this survey and from other records, we estimate the Australian sea lio n population along the Baxter Cliffs in the Great Australian Bight region o f Western Australia at less than 100 animals.