A humpback whale left with distinctive battle scars after a run-in with a boat propeller has been spotted in Tasmanian waters.
The whale, known as Bladerunner, has deep 30-centimetre scars along her left side and right tail fluke after being cut by a propeller in Sydney in 2001.
She was spotted this week off the Cape Hauy coastline on the Tasman Peninsula.
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys tour guide Yani Armbruster said it was an incredible sight.
"From a distance the whale looked like it had a stripey pattern and I remember pointing it out to one of the guests on the cruise saying it would be good to get a photo," Ms Armbruster said.
"The whale was feeding amongst dozens of others and it was so beautiful to watch."
Rosalind Butt, who owned a whale watching business in the New South Wales town of Eden, saw Bladerunner twice in her 30 years in the business.
"The first was in 2008, my husband was the first one to comment on it," Ms Butt said.
"It looks like a zebra, it has got stripes on it.
"As we got closer, we saw it was very badly cut, it must have been a huge ship that struck her."
Ms Butt saw Bladerunner again in 2013, with a calf.
"She’s probably one of the most unique animals I've seen," she said.
"We have seen a number of whales with smaller marks, but nothing like what Bladerunner has."
Reminder to respect whales
Marine scientist Vanessa Pirotta said collisions between whales and vessels weren't uncommon.
"Some whales do recover and heal up, and [Bladerunner is] a great example of that," Dr Pirotta said.
"Interactions between vessels and whales can cause death."
Dr Pirotta said whales like Bladerunner served as a reminder to respect rules and regulations when it comes to whale watching.
"She is only one in a big population, but she can serve as a flagship animal to remind humans that we all have to do our bit to protect these animals," she said.
"When we have a re-sighting of a known individual, it’s such a nice thing. It lets you that they're doing well.”
In Tasmania, boats are required to stay more than 100 metres away from a whale and avoid approaching the animal.
"If you're going out specifically to look for Bladerunner, I'd say you'd have to be incredibly lucky," Dr Pirotta said.
"You never know what you are going to see on the sea."
