Seal sightings a healthy sign
Increased reports of seals coming ashore show fur seal populations are making a strong comeback, the Department of Conservation says.
‘‘We are observing more of them at many places around mainland New Zealand,’’ Laura Boren, DOC science adviser of marine species and threats, said.
The Timaru District Council recently issued a notice advising the public to take care around seals, especially at Patiti Point, just south of Timaru.
In recent days a leopard seal has spent time resting at Caroline Bay, and other sightings of fur seals have been made along the coast, two near Alliance Smithfield – one of which appeared to have sustained injuries.
‘‘The local team is looking at this but currently doesn’t have any information about this specific seal at Smithfield,’’ a Department of Conservation spokesperson said.
Boren said the last total seal population estimate was 200,000 – approximately 20 years ago.
‘‘As the seal population increases, we will certainly see more of them arriving in our towns and cities which may explain why people see an increase.’’
October was a transition time for seals, she said.
‘‘After the winter when young seals and males of any age are away from breeding colonies to explore, this is the month that the adult males start making their way back to breeding colonies to attempt to hold a territory.
‘‘So we will see lots of movement of seals between locations at this time until they settle in for the breeding season.
‘‘They are curious and exploratory by nature and can be seen all around the coast in unusual places. They occasionally travel up rivers taking them quite far inland.’’
New Zealand fur seals are classified as ‘‘not threatened – population increasing’’ and listed ‘‘least concern under the NZ threat classification system’’.
‘‘We have seen huge increases in numbers of kekeno [NZ fur seal] up the length of the South Island and now are experiencing similar in the North.
‘‘Fur seals are not a high priority species, and we have not got the funding to undertake a national survey.
‘‘Population counts wind up happening for a location as it becomes a priority, or if there is an opportunity for an external researcher to undertake work in a location.’’