A young seal pup has escaped serious injury after being spotted with a large hook caught in its mouth at Mount Maunganui today.

Concerned residents called the Department of Conservation reporting a young fur seal with something embedded in its mouth on the rocks at Leisure Island.

The seal pup photographed with the hook caught in its mouth.

DOC services ranger Dan Rapson says rangers responded to the call, finding the nine-month-old pup with a large hook through its bottom lip.

After careful manipulation, it was cut and removed and the seal pup was immediately released, he says.

Dan wishes to thank the public for their sensible response to the situation.

'Thanks to the concerned public who rung the DOC hotline, these are the types of calls that are very important for the safety of the marine mammals.

'Today's incident resulted in a positive outcome with the seal pup being released.”

He says New Zealand fur seals are a common sight in the Bay of Plenty region throughout winter until late spring.

Coastal residents and beach visitors are increasingly able to see both adult and juvenile animals in their natural habitat, but seals should never be approached, he says.

'Late winter and spring sees an increase in fur seal pups on our coastline, as they are being weaned from their mothers and becoming independent.

'People should be aware that seals can carry infectious diseases and deliver a nasty bite when threatened, so we suggest keeping 20 metres away and taking extra care controlling dogs.

'Never touch a seal or feed them, and it's illegal to harass or injure a seal,” says Dan.

DOC has a minimum intervention policy with seals, only getting involved if the seal is seriously injured, being harassed, is entangled or is in a dangerous place such as a road.

In these situations, rangers will attend and take necessary action.

'Otherwise it is important to let nature take its course.”

For more information about seals visit www.doc.govt.nz and search ‘fur seal', phone DOC on 07 578 7677 or email [email protected]