Reward over seal

A $5000 reward is being offered for information about the “cowardly and illegal” shooting of Auckland’s treasured leopard seal. Owha the seal, who is 3.1m long and weighs 400kg, was spotted bleeding from her face at the weekend from a suspected bullet wound. An examination yesterday found she was in good health externally, but was still breathing from one nostril and internal damage has not been ruled out. Marine conservation society Sea Shepherd has put up the reward for any evidence leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for shooting the seal The seal has been spotted on her favourite pontoon near Westhaven Marina.