Seal of approval

A stray seal relaxes on the side of the Tukituki River.

An errant seal, spotted in the Tukituki River, is thought to have been there since last Friday.

Lyndy Allen was out on a routine whitebait trip when she saw the marine mammal splashing about on Sunday.
\
The incident was a first for the experienced whitebaiter.

"It's not very usual at all," she said.

Ms Allen said the seal pup had obviously come up the river mouth to feed.

"He just sits there and relaxes. He's a bit of a poser."

Ms Allen said she enjoyed seeing the curious creature pop out of the water to say hello.
"I just hope he doesn't eat all the whitebait."

DoC marine ranger Rod Hansen said the East Coast can expect to see more of the animals because breeding numbers are much higher than usual.

He said there were eight pups living in the Ahuriri estuary, a first for the area.

"People think it's a one-off but it's not. It is going to start happening more and more."

However, there is a serious risk of injury posed by the seals.

He said people need to be aware they are here and treat them with the respect they deserve,

"Most of the seals come inland to rest, so the best thing to do is simply leave them be," Mr Hansen said.

"We are getting to the point where we might need a seal crossing sign on the bridge."
This wasn't the first seal sighting recently in the Bay.

Last month, a baby fur seal attracted attention after appearing on the roadside in Marewa.

It made its way from the ocean via a crosstown drain on Georges Drive.