A young leopard seal turned heads at Tauranga’s Sulphur Pt this week after choosing a busy boat ramp as the perfect place for an extended nap.

People arriving to launch boats found the centre lane occupied by the unexpected visitor, which appeared in no hurry to move on, the Department of Conservation (DoC) said in a media release.

Leopard seals are usually found around Antarctic pack ice but occasionally visit New Zealand’s coastline during autumn and winter.

Doc said it was aware the seal had been in the wider area from late last month, but officers were alerted to it resting at Sulphur Pt on Tuesday.

After receiving reports of the seal, DoC staff established a cordon around the animal to keep curious onlookers at a safe distance.

Avid wildlife photographer and Tauranga resident Nathan Pettigrew said he had been keeping an eye out for the leopard seal after hearing it had visited the area the week before.

He said he had checked the area most days in the hope of spotting it, before receiving a call that it had turned up at the Sulphur Point boat ramp.

“I shot down there three times, morning, lunchtime, and after work, and just checked on it...I actually went down there at half past nine last night, just checked on it again.”

Pettigrew said the seal had also provided a memorable experience for local school children, with one bringing students down to see it.

DoC biodiversity ranger Sarah-Lyn Wilson said the public responded well to requests to give the seal space.

“We had lots of interest from passers-by; even entire classes of schoolkids were brought to have a look. It was a good opportunity to share some knowledge about seals,” she said.

Napping and yawning were priorities, with the seal paying little attention to humans. Photo / Nathan Pettigrew

Burnsco Sulphur Point staff member Kel Martin said staff had heard reports of the leopard seal around the marina and public boat ramps on Wednesday morning.

“But we haven’t seen it in the store yet; it hasn’t been in for anything boating at all.”

“We do get seals, whether they be fur seals or leopard seals, popping up around the Bay of Plenty, so it’s good for people to be aware they are wild animals and need to be given space, for their safety and ours,” Wilson said.

The Tauranga visitor was identified as a juvenile male measuring about 1.7m long. Adult males can grow to around 3m.

While DoC generally adopts a hands-off approach to seals, the animal’s choice of resting spot required extra management because of the high level of public activity at the ramp.

“We had a rotating roster of DoC staff and some of our trained volunteers to keep the seal and the public safe.

“We’re so grateful to all the volunteers who stepped up to help.”

Doc said the seal left some time last night.

She reminded people who encounter seals to stay at least 20m away and keep children and dogs clear of the animals.

People were also urged not to disturb seals by making loud noises or throwing things, to keep dogs and children away, not to feed the seals and never to try touching one.

The leopard seal demonstrates why people should keep their distance. Photo / Nathan Pettigrew

It is an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a seal. A dog owner whose dog attacks a seal could face prosecution.

Anyone charged under the act with harassing, disturbing, injuring or killing a seal faces a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to $250,000.

DoC said that after several days of uninterrupted rest, the leopard seal eventually slipped back into the ocean, seemingly unfazed by the attention attracted during his Tauranga stopover.

Anyone who sees a seal that is seriously injured, being harassed or in danger is asked to contact DoC on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).