Season for seals and whale watching
Date: 21 July 2008
Winter is the season for seals and whale watching along the New Zealand coastline and the time when Department of Conservation (DOC) staff appeal to members of the public for help in caring for marine mammals.
An elephant seal on Gillespies Beach
Gisborne Programme Manager, Jamie Quirk said today that in the case of the many seals that come ashore to rest at this time of year, the best thing people can do in most cases, is leave the animals alone.
"It is perfectly normal to see seals on local beaches over winter. Unless there is good reason to think a seal needs help, we prefer to leave them in peace. They can survive major injuries if they are in good condition and disturbing them can do more harm than good," Mr Quirk said.
Seals have sharp teeth, can bite in self defence and are capable of killing dogs. They can also carry infectious diseases that can be difficult to treat. People should take care to keep at least ten metres away from seals and not get between the animals and the sea. It is important to keep children and dogs away from seals.
Whales are also often seen close to shore at this time of year and DOC staff are keen to hear of any sightings of a particular species, southern right whales (tohora).
"Southern right whales are nationally endangered. Over the last few years we have been collecting photographs and specimens from whales that come close to shore to give us a picture of how many animals there are in the New Zealand population," Mr Quirk said.
Southern right whale adults are on average 14.5 metres long and mostly black. They can be identified by the lack of a dorsal fin, a V-shaped blowhole spray and white growths on their heads called callosities. Each whale has a unique callosity pattern which allows researchers to identify individual animals.
Anyone with information on southern right whales or wishing to report seals that are sick or threatened should call the nearest DOC office or the 0800DOCHOTline (0800 362 468).