Fur seals are regular visitors to Northland, with this one snapped in Whangārei Harbour, and DoC wants people to leave the cute marine mammals alone.
A fur seal has been entertaining people in Whangārei Harbour this week, and the Department of Conservation is urging people not to approach the cute marine critters as they could bite back.
A DoC spokeswoman said there has been a New Zealand fur seal in the harbour this week and
we can expect to see more of them at this time of the year - especially around Whangārei Town Basin, the Aquatic Centre and marinas.
''(We want to) remind people to give them space and call 0800 DOC HOT only if they appear unwell,'' the spokeswoman said.
From June/July to September each year there's an influx in adolescent seals appearing on our shores and further inland. This is because seal pups begin to wean as their mothers prepare for new pups.
Seals can wander as far as 15km inland, often by following rivers and streams. They can appear in unusual places, such as a paddock, roadside or an inner-city street. This is a normal occurrence from exploratory behaviour, she said.
