‘It’s gonna happen again’: Wild-life expert Aaron Machado says more sea lions could die on busy SA motorway

A wildlife expert who operated a rescue sanctuary for almost 30 years, close to where a sea lion was hit and killed by a on a busy Adelaide motorway, says more animals are at risk.

A marine wildlife expert of almost three decades, says a sea lion the size of a “small cow” that was killed on a busy Adelaide motorway this week, could be the first of others, if stronger measures are not taken.

The bizarre incident took place on the North South Motorway, near the Port River Expressway at Dry Creek at about 5:30am, Monday, where heavy traffic flows daily.

The animal was hit and killed by a motorist, with debris and blood from the sea lion spread across the road.

The day before, the sea lion was spotted by motorists and multiple calls were made to National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), alerting them of the animal being close to heavy traffic.

Aaron Machado caring for a rescued sea lion at his Torrens Island sanctuary before he was evicted last month.

Responding to the incident, a spokesperson for NPWS said they “attended the scene” and determined that the animal was in “good health” and in “no immediate danger”.

Meanwhile, well-known marine wildlife rescuer, Aaron Machado who once operated a sanctuary close-by, said he also received “20 to 30” calls from motorists, who informed him of the situation.

However, Mr Machado said was unable to help, as he no longer had a permit to do so.

“What I would’ve done was gone there with a group of volunteers, and I would’ve had that freeway shutdown, or, at least one or two lanes, and I would’ve had the animal taken away within minutes,” he told The Advertiser.

Police and council workers took hours to remove the sea lion from the motorway. Credit: 7NEWS

“But I can’t do anything, because the permitting system in the department is absolutely ridiculous, it’s time consuming.

“I can’t do it, I explained that to them, they promised to help me but they didn’t.”Mr Machado founded the Australian Marine Wildlife Research & Rescue Organisation (AMWRRO) in 1998, which is a short distance away from where the sea lion was hit and killed.

He has been rescuing marine wildlife around Torrens Island and the Port River since he started operating from the facility.

Police and council workers took hours to remove the Seal from the expressway. Credit: 7NEWS

However, after a permit he held through NPWS that allowed him to rescue animals, expired almost three years ago, he says “red tape” has prevented him from continuing his efforts.

He has accused the NPWS and Department for Environment and Water (DEW) of preventing him from acquiring a reissued permit.

In response, the DEW said they received a permit application from Mr Machado late last year, which they are still reviewing.

“Aaron Machado has not been permitted to rescue or rehabilitate wildlife since July 2022 as a result of him not reapplying for a permit through the Department for Environment and Water during that time,” they said.

“The department has received an application from Mr Machado in late December 2024 and the department is currently working through the normal assessment process.”

AGL Power Station at Torrens Island in Adelaide. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes)

However, since the DEW received Mr Machado’s permit application, he has been evicted from his Torrens Island sanctuary by AGL Energy, whose land the facility was operating on.

Mr Machado and AGL Energy had an agreement since 2004, which allowed him to continue providing rescue, rehab services for marine wildlife.

The energy giant accused Mr Machado of “concerning incidents and breaches in the license agreement”, which he denies.

“AGL is committed to environment stewardship and supporting organisations that seek to drive positive environmental outcomes as evidenced by our long-term agreement and support for the Australian Marine Wildlife Research Rescue Organisation at Torrens Island,” they said.

“However, following a series of concerning incidents and breaches in the license agreement, AGL had no other option but to terminate the agreement with the organisation at Torrens Island. We worked with the organisation to facilitate a smooth transition and in good faith paid $10,000 to assist with the relocation cost.”

AGL Energy said the $10,000 has not been expensed.

Originally published as ‘It’s gonna happen again’: Wild-life expert Aaron Machado says more sea lions could die on busy SA motorway