WATCH: Seal freed near Penguin Island thanks to new method to catch entangled animals

A young fur seal has been freed in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park after becoming entangled in rope.

The seal was first spotted on August 29 near Penguin Island by a member of the public who reported it to the Wildcare Helpline.

"Although it was too late to respond that day, our team remained on standby for the next confirmed sighting," A Parks and Wildlife spokesperson said.

"The following Monday, the seal was relocated but remained elusive - swimming actively and thermoregulating at the surface but never hauling out.

"This made it difficult to capture, and to avoid causing undue stress to the animal, the team decided to pause response efforts."

By Tuesday, Perth Wildlife Encounters spotted the seal and a Parks and Wildlife team were deployed to its location.

Using a new method which was being trialed to capture entangled dolphins, rangers managed to catch the seal and free it from its entanglement.

The tool works by snagging the entanglement allowing rescuers to haul in the animal. PIC: Parks and Wildlife Service

The seal was released back into the water and swam away.

If you see any sick, injured or abandoned wildlife please call the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055.