Reward offered over seal deaths

A $5000 reward has been offered following the ‘‘heartless’’ killing of at least eight fur seals on the Kaikōura coast late last year.

The animals were shot dead in late October or early November 2021, while the deaths of another 11 seals are also being treated as suspicious.

The money is being offered for information leading to the conviction of whoever was responsible for the killings. The reward is on offer for one month only, until February 12.

The seals were slain at hau Point and Half Moon Bay, and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are appealing for people to come forward with information, specifically about the period on or between October 18 and November 10.

DOC was first alerted to dead seals at hau Point on Labour Day, October 25. Six dead seals were found, and the other 13 seals were found at two sites in the Half Moon Bay area.

Seals have been successfully reestablishing along the Kaikōura coastline after parts of their habitat were damaged during the 2016 earthquake.

The penalties for harassing, disturbing, injuring or killing a marine mammal under the Marine Mammals Protection Act are up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to $250,000.

It is not the first time seals have been injured or killed at hau OPoint¯ in recent years. In July 2013, an adult female and a pup were found with gunshot wounds to the head, while in December 2010, 23 seals were clubbed to death. Two men were prosecuted by police on charges under the Animal Welfare Act. ¯ O