Seal goes for a wander around Wellington CBD

Photo / Thinkstock

A seal which wandered around the streets of central Wellington this morning had to be herded back into the water by police.

Seals are a common sight along the capital's south coast but police say this morning's visitor to the central city is a little bit more unusual.

The seal was reported by a police staff member who "almost hit it" on Jervois Quay as they were coming in to work about 5.40am, Inspector Chris Tate of police central communications said.

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Police herded the seal back into a nearby lagoon about half an hour later.

"Fortunately he [the seal] did it when he did, before the traffic picks up, but it's all good now," Mr Tate said.

"He might come back again later on, but it's hard to tell with these guys."

Police did not know how the seal made it up to the street or how long it had been wandering around for.

Mr Tate said it was a bit of an unusual job.

"Although we've done it a few times around here - you get quite a few seals around Wellington."