Australian teen surfer injured in sea lion attack

Sydney, Apr 15: A 13-year-old surfer was seriously injured today when she was attacked by a sea lion off Australia's west coast, Seven News television reported.

The surfer was being towed onto a wave behind a boat when the animal leapt out of the water and sunk its teeth into her neck.

''The sea lion came straight up on a collision course on the wave, and leapt out of the water and grabbed her on the head with its mouth,'' boat driver Chris Thomas told the television station.

The girl lost three teeth and some of her jaw bone in the bite, which narrowly missed a major artery, and had to undergo emergency surgery to repair a hole under her chin.

Seven Network quoted a government wildlife expert, Doug Coughran, as saying the attack could easily have been fatal, particularly as sea lions can grow to up 300 kg.

''Unfortunately, it's not like Walt Disney where animals all want to kiss and cuddle you. The reality is they can be dangerous,'' Coughran told the network.

REUTERS