Kekeno/New Zealand fur seals are an important sentinel species - this means they give us an insight into the wider health of the marine ecosystem.
Where you'll see seals
Once near extinction due to widespread hunting, New Zealand fur seals are now re-establishing in parts of their former range. They spend about half their time at sea, foraging for fish and squid, and half their time on land, resting and caring for their pups. This means we'll be seeing more of them along our rocky shorelines throughout the country, including the Chatham and Subantarctic Islands.
Fur seals have been known to venture several kilometres inland, often by following rivers and streams. They can appear in unusual places, such as a paddocks, backyards, roadsides or inner-city streets. This is normal behaviour, particularly for young animals as they explore their environment.
Leave seals alone
DOC generally takes a ‘hands off’ approach to fur seals. They are capable and resilient and given time and space, they usually find their way home. See below for what to do if you see three or more sick or dead fur seals in an area.
Don't feed any wildlife as they can become reliant on humans for food.
Fur seals are wild animals and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. They can move surprisingly quickly on land. While fur seals can look harmless, they can inflict serious injuries to dogs or people and can carry infectious diseases.
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.
Safety guidelines when watching seals
You should:
- stay at least 20 m away
- don’t disturb seals by making loud noises or throwing things
- keep dogs and children away
- don’t attempt to feed seals
- never attempt to touch a seal.
What’s normal?
The following are all natural behaviours and you don't need to intervene. You may see fur seals:
- sneezing, coughing and with weepy eyes
- drifting in the waves
- flapping flippers as if stranded
- immobile
- fighting
- pups spending time away from their mothers.
If you see three or more sick or dead fur seals in an area
Report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand’s Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Provide as much detail to Biosecurity New Zealand as you can, including:
- a GPS reading or other precise location information
- photographs and/or videos of sick and dead fur seals
- estimate of numbers affected
- note how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number present.
Biosecurity New Zealand will take details and an incursion investigator will be in contact with you. Follow any instructions from Biosecurity New Zealand for handling of sick or dead wildlife.
Identifying Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or other diseases early will help to protect our native species.
What to do if you're concerned about a fur seal
- Ask: is the seal in danger, injured or being harassed by people or dogs?
- If so, call our emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
- If you see symptoms such as: a lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles, twisted neck or other abnormal posture, inability to stand please call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or MPI 0800 80 99 66
- Never attempt to move or handle a seal yourself: they are aggressive when stressed and it’s important not to separate a mother and her pup.
- If you’re unsure: call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
What you need to tell us
- The location of the seal and how to get to it
- The size/approximate age of the fur seal, or a description of what it looks like
- What appears to be wrong with it
- The state of the tide
- The local weather and sea conditions
- Your contact phone number.
If you accidentally catch or harm a seal
You must report it as soon as possible to our conservation hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or the Ministry for Primary Industries (0800 008 333).
If the animal is alive you should release it back into the water as quickly and gently as possible, provided it is safe to do so.
If the seal is dead, either release the carcass at sea or preferably bring it to shore for us to recover.