Trains halted at Ngaraunga station, Wellington, after seal finds its way to the tracks

A New Zealand fur seal/kekeno on railway tracks near Ngauranga, Wellington. Photo / Department of Conservation

Trains were halted at a Wellington train station after a seal made its way onto the tracks.

Metlink posted on its website that trains had resumed at Ngaraunga station after the seal was moved off.

“We have received clearance to resume services toward Wellington following the earlier seal on the tracks.”

Two services were affected by the delay.

A New Zealand fur seal/kekeno on railway tracks near Ngauranga, Wellington. Photo / Department of Conservation

Although the loose seal caused issues for public transport, many people were concerned with the welfare of the animal, with multiple calls to DOC’s 0800 DOC HOT line reporting the seal.

“This was a sub-adult fur seal, which isn’t an unusual sight around Wellington,” says David Moss, DOC Ranger Biodiversity. “However, it was quite skinny, and didn’t seem fazed by its predicament, which could be signs of fatigue.”

DOC rangers took the seal to Wellington’s south coast, where it was safely released away from people and dogs.

Commuter Mandy said she had boarded her train at around 7am when they announced there was a “whole pile of trains” due to a “trespassing seal”.

She was told her train was the fourth train in line and quite a few “just got off” to try to avoid delays.

Mandy estimated “the delays would impact thousands” of commuters.

A KiwiRail spokesperson said the trains were stopped at Petone at about 6.10am.

“Police and Department of Conservation staff were at the scene and the seal was removed, allowing trains to start moving again at about 7.05am.”