I inappropriately spoiled a charming thread with pictures here-
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=24194.0;topicseenand consequently removed it largely to this post here for comments.
Never work with children and animals is sound advice, but as adults and parents you need to be aware of what is happening in our legal system behind closed doors.
Sadly I have to advise that if you approached a seal on land closer than 30M, or in this 'heinous' case, within 50M of what is clearly a seal pup, then in the State of South Australia, you would face a fine of $100,000 or 2 years imprisonment. I understand that is the Marine Mammal protection Law in most States now, although coming to Queenslanders soon by all accounts with a quick net search-
http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/pdf/marine-mamal-submission-guideline.pdfThe people in high places and offices who know all about these things and have pushed for National uniform Legislation, would be thoroughly disgusted by the example to young children being set here and would want Parks and Wildlife to throw the book at the adults involved. These are the same Greens, vegans and PETAheads gunning for the closure of rodeos and circuses and zoos to leave future generations with only a digital appreciation of the wonderment of animals and Nature in general. Be very concerned about what it is they wish for and as for those 4WD tracks near that young marine mammal the usual suspects are beavering away at that too.
Most of you will be oblivious to what's been going on quietly behind your backs with such Legislation as you'll discover here-
http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/NATIONAL%20PARKS%20AND%20WILDLIFE%20(PROTECTED%20ANIMALS%20-%20MARINE%20MAMMALS)%20REGULATIONS%202010/CURRENT/2010.263.UN.PDFIn particular with those heinous kiddies in the pic notice-
15—Distance to be kept by persons on land
(1) A person who is on land must not move closer than 30 metres to a seal or sea lion
(whether the seal or sea lion is on land or in water).
(2) A person who is on land must not move closer than 50 metres to a marine mammal
(whether the marine mammal is on land or in water) if the marine mammal—
(a) shows signs of disturbance; or
(b) appears to be sick or injured; or
(c) is stranded; or
(d) is entangled or otherwise physically incapacitated by material of human
origin; or
(e) is a calf or pup.
(3) Subregulation (1) or (2) does not apply if a person is on a prescribed viewing structure
and no seal or sea lion is present on the structure at the same time.
(4) If a seal or sea lion present on a prescribed viewing structure moves closer than
30 metres to a person, the person must maintain his or her position on the structure or
move away from the seal or sea lion.
Not that the kiddies can be held responsible but any adult can and ignorance of the Law is no excuse as we all know, or at least as this fellow discovered while returning to the boat ramp at Victor Harbor when he got excitedly carried away getting too close(300M in his case) to deified, sanctified whales-
http://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/whale-of-a-fine/2583142.aspxI understand his fine was actually $20,000 but reduced by $5000 for that guilty plea but with costs added on, all up around $21k. However the Court has graciously given him 6yrs to pay it off, since he is a Church Minister (happy clapper) with wife and 2 young kiddies and no doubt a mortgage. Apparently being on a jetski with suction intake and water jet outlet rather than a propellor in the water means you cop nearly 4 times the fine, even if the jetski doesn't actually run into the whales-
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-06/man-fined-after-hitting-whale-with-boat/2250050so you work it out.
My comments are meant in good faith to warn you all to be very careful in your travels nowadays. The juxtaposition of my observations (with that innocent picture) should rightly shock and disturb you all under the circumstances. Why wouldn't they to people here who love Nature and the great outdoors and want to pass that on to their children?
For mine there is the Law and then there is the intent of the Law and the prosecution of it. One thing the real villains know only too well is that digital images (in particular cctv footage) is of no concern. All they need do is reserve their right to silence when questioned or charged and providing their is no-one who can stand up in Court and say- That's Vincent Focarelli your Honour, I've known him for years and I saw hima at the Highway Inn on such and such and yada, yada...then the DPP will throw the proceedings in the chicken manure bin-
http://www.news.com.au/news/all-charges-dropped-over-bikie-brawl-at-the-highway-inn-plympton/story-fnehlez2-1226438663834Bear that in mind should you find yourself completely innocent of any real intent of the Law, yet tripping over the letter of the Law being made behind your back.
In the case of that $15000 fine plus costs, being a man of God he has resigned himself(and his family??) to pay Ceasar's dues, even though he has been advised it would likely be overturned as manifestly excessive on Appeal. Even NPWS were shocked at the penalty handed down and to have it stand is a disgrace for our Justice system.
My apologies to all you young people but I'm 60 with grown up children and perhaps grandkids one day(like the gorgeous OP's hopefully), but I'm so bloody angry at my old fart, wanker generation for letting you down and putting you all at risk like this. I trust you'll understand the frustration and shame I feel for a generation that knew what it was like to run free and yet somehow stayed silent while the vocal minority ran amok with our Legal system.
My deepest humblest apologies on behalf of my generation.
