The Ruatoki youngster who first caught sight of the seal sunbathing on rocks beside the Whakatane River thinks it's pretty cool so many people have watched the video of he and his dad and the mammal.
Te Aramahaki Timoti, 8, spotted the seal as he and his dad drove across
the bridge and went to investigate.
The video taken by his dad has gone viral on Facebook and for Ruatoki locals, the sight has drawn their curiosity.
Department of Conservation (DoC) staff believe the male seal has travelled 40km up the river to Ruatoki after following whitebait.
They say it is not usual for seals to travel upstream, but it's the first time the department has seen one come this far inland to Ruatoki. Staff think the seal has travelled further up the river past Waikirikiri.
