It’s unknown how the seal was injured, with explanations ranging from a boat propeller to a shark attack. Photo: South Coast Police District/Facebook.
CONTENT WARNING: This story contains images that may distress some readers.
An injured seal has made a lucky escape, with several theories put forward about how it became wounded.
Earlier today (10 February), the South Coast Police District announced officers were responding to a different kind of call for help.
A spokesperson announced the discovery in a statement on Facebook, asking people to stay away from Batemans Bay’s foreshore.
“The seal has been struck by the propeller of a boat and has significant injuries,” they said.
“Volunteers 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.”
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.
The ORRCA member who responded to the seal’s discovery is also a vet. They inspected the animal and saw it was moving well.
“They’re not super deep, from what we could see,” Ms Ryan said of its wounds.
“We didn’t specifically call in a vet.
“We 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.”
An ORRCA member kept watch as the seal re-entered the water after its lucky escape. Photo: South Coast Police District Facebook.
In what was “absolutely” a good sign, the seal quickly re-entered the water and was seen swimming away from the area before midday.
“As long as the wounds are healing nicely, [and] it maintains good mobility and body condition, then we don’t have too much to worry about at this stage,” she said.
She said the cause of its injuries remained a mystery, but she believed they were unlikely caused by a propeller.
“While we can’t say for sure, it probably wasn’t a boat … It’s not actually super common for seals to be struck by boats.
“They’re incredibly alert and agile in the water. More often than not, when we see these types of injuries, they’re caused by sharks … but it doesn’t really change the way that we manage the seal.”
While it’s unclear what exactly led to its injuries, they are an occasional sight for ORRCA responders.
“Normally, the ones that we’re seeing, especially in areas where there’s not normally seals [present], are ones that are injured.
“We get them year-round. … We do get seals year-round all along the NSW coast with varying injuries.”
Ms Ryan said shark injuries could range from relatively minor bites (where the main concern is infection) to more severe damage.
“It’s just the way of Mother Nature – seals are a natural food source for sharks.
“It’s just the role they play in the ocean. These seals just need to make sure that they’re extra vigilant, if they don’t want to get eaten.”
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.
“Seals can move incredibly quickly on land – even if they do look like they’re not bothered by you or can’t move fast at all.”
In good news for people seeking relief from the summer heat, she also said there had been no reports of sharks in nearby waters.
“From a human perspective, this is part of being in the ocean.
“We haven’t heard of any extra shark activity around Batemans Bay in the last couple of days, but they’re there, and it’s something to be mindful of.”
Should you see a whale tangled in netting, injured or otherwise in distress, call ORRCA’s Rescue Hotline on 02 9415 3333.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.
