A beloved seal who became a local icon on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula has died.
The body of a seal, believed to belong to Sammy the seal, was found near Coral Cove beach in Mornington yesterday afternoon
A spokesperson for Zoos Victoria's Marine Response Unit said there is a "strong likelihood" that the deceased seal is Sammy.
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"There is a strong likelihood that the seal is Sammy, but we can't confirm it definitively," the spokesperson said.
"DNA testing is not possible when we don't have an original sample from the seal in question."
The MRU told the ABC it is "horrible news" for the Mornington community.
Sammy was a regular roamer across the seaside tourist region, delighting visitors and even stopping traffic on occasion after wandering out onto the road.
The marine animal was so beloved, he even became the subject of a Facebook fan page with over 7800 followers.
Bec, the owner of Sammy's Facebook fan page, shared the sad news with a tribute to the town's "beautiful chonky sea sausage".
"I know so many of you are going to be devastated by this news because somehow this big beautiful boy became part of all our lives," she wrote.
"What started as a few little updates turned into an entire community loving him, looking out for him and smiling every time someone spotted him lounging around the Peninsula like he owned the place.
"Thank you to everyone who cared about him, checked on him, sent photos and loved him the way you all did. The beaches are going to feel a little quieter without our boy around.
"Rest easy Sammy. Stay moist forever little mate."
The MRU attended the scene yesterday and retrieved Sammy's body.
Seals are a common sight along the Mornington Peninsula, however Sammy sightings were of particular interest to locals and visitors.
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In April, Sammy caused traffic chaos after he was spotted sunbathing on Point Nepean Road in Dromana.
Before his death, fans were asked not to publicly share Sammy's location after several incidents where he was harassed or chased.
Sammy's cause of death remains unknown, and it may take several weeks for the MRU to determine it.
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