Several marine creatures have paid a visit to the northern beaches for a well-earned rest after battling big seas, including this young leopard seal.

But two underweight seals have returned to the water and ORRCA fears for their welfare.

The leopard seal was spotted at Avalon Beach this morning, underweight and bearing the scar of an attack by a cookie-cutter shark.

An underweight fur seal also came ashore at Manly yesterday.

The visit follows the birth of a whale calf off the peninsula late last week that attracted a lot of attention.

media_camera The leopard seal on Avalon Beach. Picture: Jarrod Castaing

media_camera The wound to the seal’s chest caused by a cookie cutter shark bite. Picture: Martin Lange

A leopard seal that came ashore at Avalon Beach yesterday provided a superb living classroom for a group of 19 Year 8 science students.

Biology teacher Col Thomson said he was impressed by the knowledge of the students as they studied the leopard seal from a safe distance.

“A few people were wandering a bit close but there was a guy in a high-visibility shirt sitting in a chair warning people to keep their distance.

“It was raising its head a bit but with effort.

“It opened its mouth a few times and its spiky canine teeth were showing, so the students could see what a ferocious predator it is.”

media_camera Big seas over the weekend would have left many younger seals in need of a rest. Picture: Martin Lange

media_camera The leopard seal stretching out on the sand today. Picture: Martin Lange

media_camera The seal wasn’t fazed by the students or onlookers. Picture: Martin Lange

The seal was missing a chunk of flesh, evidence of a run-in with a cookie cutter shark, according to an ORRCA spokeswoman, who said such an injury was not usually serious.

But she said the seal was seriously underweight.

The spokesman said the big seas over the weekend would have left many younger seals in need of a rest.

On Sunday, a young fur seal came ashore on rocks between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach on Sunday afternoon and while it was not injured, witnesses said it appeared exhausted and the ORRCA spokeswoman said it too was underweight.

media_camera A young fur seal on the rocks between Shelly Beach and Manly Beach. Picture: Annika Enderborg

A National Park and Wildlife Service spokesman said it was vital that people kept a safe distance from seals.

“If you see a seal on a beach or on rocks, keep at least 40m away for your own safety (80m for a pup), keep dogs under control and away from the vicinity of the seal, for the safety of both animals, do not attempt to herd the seal back to water, do not stand between the seal and the water and do not throw water on it or try to feed it,” he said.

Both seals have returned to the water and ORRCA is concerned for their welfare.

Anyone who sees a seal on land is urged to call ORRCA’s hotline on 9415 3333.