Reminder as seal surfaces at Mount

The Department of Conservation is reminding people of seal protocols after a New Zealand fur seal was seen sleeping a few metres from the Mauao base track on Sunday.

'A lot of locals and visitors are surprised when we tell them this, but seals are common in the Bay of Plenty, especially in winter,” says DOC Ranger Pete Huggins.


The NZ fur seal which visited the Mount on Sunday morning. Photos: Grant Harrison.

'Seals naturally come ashore to rest.”

Calls to the Department of Conservation on Sunday morning reported an animal sleeping on the rocks near to Shelly Beach – just metres from the walking track.

'This particular animal may be a local, or it may have come from as far away as Haast or Hokitika in the South Island,” adds Pete.

According to the DOC, the sighting confirms that the winter season has well and truly arrived.

Fur seals are numerous in the Bay of Plenty during winter, as they escape harsher conditions further south, and beachgoers can expect to see seals enjoying local waters and beaches over the next few months.

Pete is advising people to give them a wide berth of at least 20 metres, as seals can be aggressive and will bite.

It is an offence to harass or injure a fur seal, which means people need to act responsibly. Dogs are a particular problem and need to be tightly controlled around seals.

The DOC takes a minimum-intervention approach to seals, which means leaving them alone unless they are clearly physically injured or are being attacked or harassed by people or dogs.

'A lot of people aren't used to seeing seals and often report them as stranded or sick,” says Pete.

'But when you get to know them you realise this is just normal behaviour. They can often have weepy eyes, and they sneeze and make coughing noises but that's all part of being a marine mammal.

'It's great that seal populations are growing strongly after they were hit hard by the fur trade in the 19th Century and it'll take a while for people to get used to them again.”

If people see a seal that needs intervention, such as suffering from an open wound or being caught in netting, please call the DOC on: 0800 362 468.

*Did you spot the fur seal at the Mount on Sunday? If so, send your pics to: newsroom@thesun.co.nz

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1 comment

Seriously

Posted on 26-05-2015 06:26 | By maildrop

If you see a seal asleep on a rock call the authorities immediately. It's the thin end of the wedge and they must learn that their place is in the sea.


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