Seal trio happy in new homes

Former Marineland occupant Mr Bojangles always enjoyed a shower and now is getting plenty in Queensland. Photo / File

The last three aquatic occupants of the old Marineland in Napier are successfully through 30-day quarantine periods in Queensland and Victoria and are set to take to their new homes.

"It has all gone well," Napier City Council tourism service manager Neil Fergus said.

He had received a call from Sea World on the Gold Coast two days ago telling him the two New Zealand fur seals, Mr Bojangles and Molly, had come through their quarantine isolation without any problems.

"They were about to be introduced to their new main pools," he said, adding that by what he saw of them it would be like "stepping into the Hilton".

The third New Zealand fur seal, Pania, which had been flown to Melbourne Zoo, had emerged fit and well from the quarantine process too.

The seals were shipped off late in March, the only glitch being the unavailability of the scheduled Air Force flight to get them to Auckland, because of the urgent aid requirements for Cyclone Pam.

"But they handled the road trip fine - no problems."

Mr Fergus said they were the right kind of seal to make such a long journey as New Zealand fur seals were a lot less sensitive than their Californian counterparts.

The Marineland site has now been cleared.

The temporary fences have been removed along with the ozone water treatment plants, the pools emptied and water turned off.

"It's all cleared for the next stage."

That next stage will be the redevelopment of the Marine Parade site into a multi-purpose entertainment facility.

Mayor Bill Dalton said plans for the new project were already well under way with work expected to start later in the year.

Skating bowls and sports areas will be complemented by the retention of the main grandstand, which will host audiences for sporting and other events.