A juvenile seal made a surprise visit to Northland's Ruakaka Beach on the weekend. Photo / Supplied
A juvenile seal made a surprise visit to Northland's Ruakaka Beach on the weekend. Photo / Supplied
A couple visiting Ruakākā Beach over the weekend got a special treat when they spotted a New Zealand fur seal emerge from the waves for a rest on the sand.
While fur seals – kekeno – are known to frequent parts of Northland during winter, they’re not commonly seen atRuakākā Beach.
Department of Conservation (DoC) marine technical adviser Jody Weir said the area isn’t one of their usual haul-out spots, making the sighting rare and exciting.
Peter and Oksana Vuletich came across the seal around noon on Saturday and captured a few photos of the unexpected visitor. DoC later said the animal was a juvenile New Zealand fur seal, likely exploring beyond its typical rocky habitat.
“We often see young fur seals venturing further afield, especially after rough weather,” Weir said.
New to the world, young fur seal pups like adventuring and can turn up unexpectedly in all sorts of locations. Photo / Sarah Curtis
“They can turn up on open beaches, grassy areas, or even roads. It’s part of their natural behaviour.”
DoC is reminding the public to give fur seals plenty of space. Its advice includes staying at least 20m away, keeping dogs on leads and never getting between a seal and the sea.
DoC staff also noted vehicle tracks close to the waterline in the Vuletichs’ photo and issued a reminder that driving on beaches can pose risks to wildlife, including resting seals and nesting birds. People are encouraged to only drive where permitted and to do so with care.
If three or more dead seals are found, people should contact the MPI hotline at 0800 80 99 66.
DoC continues to collect data on seal sightings as part of its “Seal Silly Season” initiative, aimed at protecting young seals during their exploratory journeys.
Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast.
