Fur seals/kekeno were once hunted for their pelts, nearly driving the species to extinction. Whilst fur seals are recolonising the mainland and Stewart Island, the population has not reached its former abundance. Today’s population has recovered to 200,000 individuals, though numbers were once around 2 million. This means fur seal populations continue to be on the road to recovery, which has been enabled by protection under the Marine Mammal Act 1978.

Although fur seals are no longer on the brink of extinction, they continue to face human related threats. Fur seals are drowned in trawling and long line fisheries, impacted by overfishing, climate change, marine debris entanglement, intentional harm and dog attacks.

In Kaikōura seal colonies are a visitor attraction. Unfortunately seals are currently subject to mass starvation, whilst resting and nursing seals experience significant human disturbance.

Leopard seals/popoikore primarily inhabit the Antarctic pack ice, dispersing northwards in the southern ocean during autumn and winter.

Aotearoa New Zealand is home to resident and vagrant leopard seals, which visit the mainland coastline for brief stops, or for months and years at a time. Kaikōura is a regular leopard seal haul out spot.

The public is encouraged to submit sightings to LeopardSeals.org, to aid with monitoring this protected species. Data collection helps with identifying and re-sighting individuals, as well as logging haul out sites.

Reported sightings are valuable for conservation management, helping to increase understanding of leopard seal occurrence and movements.

You can report leopard seal sightings on 0800 LEOPARD (0800 536 7273) or the DOC Hotline on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

The southern elephant seal/ihupuku is the largest species of seal in the world. Elephant seals are residents of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands and occasionally visit our coastline.

Elephant seals range throughout the southern ocean, around the Antarctic continent and subantarctic islands. In winter they may frequent various mainland locations, hauling out on sand or gravel beaches. When visiting our coastlines to rest or moult, elephant seals can stay in an area for months.

There has been a long-term annual decline at most colonies due to human related threats, such as commercial exploitation of prey stocks. It is also possible that elephant seals are affected by ship-strike and fishing mortality, though little information exists on these impacts.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) encourages reporting of elephant seal sightings.

It is a privilege to see seals around our coastline, and we can ensure that they are welcome and treated with respect.

Please never directly approach a seal, and follow these guidelines to reduce human disturbance:

• Maintain at least a 20m minimum distance.

• Never attempt to touch seals.

• Walk slowly and gently near seals.

• Do not disturb resting seals by making loud noises or otherwise harassing these animals.

• Keep a clear path between a seal and the sea at all times, so that it can depart when needed.

• To avoid dog attacks, please keep dogs under control on a lead in coastal areas and maintain a 20m distance from seals.

• When photographing seals, use the zoom function on your camera and maintain a minimum distance at all times.

If you come across a seal it is generally best to leave it alone, however there are exceptions. The Department of Conservation (DOC) will intervene if a seal is:

• in poor condition and suffering

• entangled in marine debris

• in immediate danger

• causing disruption, e.g. trapped on a road

• being harassed by people or dogs

• you suspect a wildlife crime/intentional harm.

It is an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a seal; with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and fine of $250,000.

Please do not attempt to move or handle an unwell seal, they can be aggressive when stressed. If you are concerned that a seal is seriously injured, in danger or being harassed, please call the DOC Hotline on 0800 362 468.