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It\u2019s unknown how the seal was injured, with explanations ranging from a boat propeller to a shark attack. Photo: South Coast Police District\/Facebook.<\/p>\n
CONTENT WARNING: This story contains images that may distress some readers.<\/p>\n
An injured seal has made a lucky escape, with several theories put forward about how it became wounded.<\/p>\n
Earlier today (10 February), the South Coast Police District announced officers were responding to a different kind of call for help.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson announced the discovery in a statement on Facebook, asking people to stay away from Batemans Bay\u2019s foreshore.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe seal has been struck by the propeller of a boat and has significant injuries,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteers from ORRCA and vet are currently in attendance assessing the seal. Police are asking that people avoid the area to not distress the seal any further.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ashley Ryan, president of the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), said a carer found the seal had wounds to its belly.<\/p>\n
The ORRCA member who responded to the seal\u2019s discovery is also a vet. They inspected the animal and saw it was moving well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not super deep, from what we could see,\u201d Ms Ryan said of its wounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t specifically call in a vet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would do that if there was something that we were concerned about, but we just got lucky this morning that we had a member who had those veterinary skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
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An ORRCA member kept watch as the seal re-entered the water after its lucky escape. Photo: South Coast Police District Facebook.<\/p>\n
In what was \u201cabsolutely\u201d a good sign, the seal quickly re-entered the water and was seen swimming away from the area before midday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as the wounds are healing nicely, [and] it maintains good mobility and body condition, then we don\u2019t have too much to worry about at this stage,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She said the cause of its injuries remained a mystery, but she believed they were unlikely caused by a propeller.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we can\u2019t say for sure, it probably wasn\u2019t a boat \u2026 It\u2019s not actually super common for seals to be struck by boats.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re incredibly alert and agile in the water. More often than not, when we see these types of injuries, they\u2019re caused by sharks \u2026 but it doesn\u2019t really change the way that we manage the seal.\u201d<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s unclear what exactly led to its injuries, they are an occasional sight for ORRCA responders.<\/p>\n
\u201cNormally, the ones that we\u2019re seeing, especially in areas where there\u2019s not normally seals [present], are ones that are injured.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get them year-round. \u2026 We do get seals year-round all along the NSW coast with varying injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Ryan said shark injuries could range from relatively minor bites (where the main concern is infection) to more severe damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just the way of Mother Nature \u2013 seals are a natural food source for sharks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just the role they play in the ocean. These seals just need to make sure that they\u2019re extra vigilant, if they don\u2019t want to get eaten.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Ms Ryan, the incident is also a reminder for humans to keep their distance from injured seals and to call for expert wildlife carers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeals can move incredibly quickly on land \u2013 even if they do look like they\u2019re not bothered by you or can\u2019t move fast at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
In good news for people seeking relief from the summer heat, she also said there had been no reports of sharks in nearby waters.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a human perspective, this is part of being in the ocean.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t heard of any extra shark activity around Batemans Bay in the last couple of days, but they\u2019re there, and it\u2019s something to be mindful of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Should you see a whale tangled in netting, injured or otherwise in distress, call ORRCA\u2019s Rescue Hotline on 02 9415 3333.<\/p>\n