Marine creature washes up, seals come out to play

A new hazard has appeared on Northland's roads and it comes with a bite - hungry, resting or abandoned seals are turning up along the coast and the Department of Conservation (DoC) is urging people not to touch - but to get in touch if the mammals are in danger.

DoC marine ranger Marie Jordan said this was the time of year when seals headed to shore, with pups weaned and adults "hauling up" to rest. There had been three reports of seals this week, with one on Port Rd, Okara, and another on the road at Pataua North.

Ms Jordan said there appeared to be less food than normal for seals at this time of year so that might also be contributing to them coming to shore.

The pup at Okara had been wandering on to the road on Wednesday and quick-thinking Subway Okara worker Blair Cardno wrapped the young seal in a blanket, but a box over it, picked the box up with bits of wood then placed the seal in a supermarket trolley until DoC staff arrived to pick it up.

Cars had already had to swerve to avoid the seal when Mr Cardno arrived and, as he knew how nasty they could be, he was aware not to touch it. The fact the seal was "going nuts" was enough of a warning.

Ms Jordan said seals were cute and it was natural for people to want to have a look if they saw one, but they could have a nasty bite and the public should not approach them, unless in a situation like on Wednesday when the seal pup was a danger to itself or the public on Port Rd.

"It was going into traffic and (Blair) did the right thing by wrapping it in a blanket and putting it in a trolley and we are really thankful that he did, but we would advise people not to do that unless there is that danger," Ms Jordan said.

The pup might have been abandoned by its mother after weaning and was taken to Portland by DoC where it was released back into the sea.

Yesterday, a call came through that a young adult seal was on Pataua North Rd at the Horahora Estuary and the finders diverted traffic and assisted DoC with putting the seal back in the water. A third seal was reported at Mangawhai but, as it was on the beach, it was left alone.

Ms Jordan said motorists in coastal areas should be alert for the possibility of seals on the road.

Seal sightings can be referred to the DoC hotline on 0800 362468. While a seal bite can be nasty, a range of bacteria in their saliva are potentially much more dangerous.