Marine Response Unit

The Marine Response Unit (MRU) is Victoria’s first dedicated marine wildlife emergency team, operating under the umbrella of Zoos Victoria’s wildlife protection program. Established in October 2013, the MRU responds to calls involving injured, distressed, or stranded marine animals (especially seals) along Victoria’s coastline. With over 1900 cases handled and more than 800 direct interventions, the unit plays a vital role in safeguarding the region’s marine biodiversity.

When seals require medical attention or rehabilitation, they are transported to Melbourne Zoo, where veterinary specialists assess and treat them. The goal is always to return animals to the wild once they’ve recovered. The MRU’s work also constists of monitoring seals and putting up protection measures if needed, especially for larger transient species like leopard seals and Southern elephant seals. The MRU is supported by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Parks Victoria, and relies on the public to report sightings of marine animals in distress.

MRU’s toolkit incluces a rapid response protocol for seal strandings and entanglements and community engagement through public awareness campaigns. The program is fully integrated with Zoos Victoria’s broader conservation efforts, including habitat protection and species recovery plans.