A New Zealand fur seal tangled in plastic packing tape was set free to frolic in the waves this week.
The Department of Conservation [DoC] was alerted and went to the aid of an adolescent seal resting near Awatoto in Napier on Thursday.
A team of seven including two DoC officers, and helpers from Napier City Council and Napier Aquarium helped free the mammal for a happy ending.
Aquarium curator of exhibitions Kerry Hewitt said his staff had experience with large, dangerous animals and were able to throw a net on top of the basking creature and pin it down long enough to cut away tape which had become wrapped round its neck.
"The plastic had been on there for a while but it didn't cause any damage, it was caught thanks to a member of public. It was quick as that, nice and easy - we have seen this sort of thing before."