Rare Weddell seal travels from Antartica to lounge on Napier beach

Saturday, 4 August 2018

A rare Weddell seal has been spotted lounging on a city beach in Napier.

A rare Weddell seal has made a surprise visit to Napier.

The seal was spotted lounging on a city beach on Friday, and was identified as Weddell seal by Department of Conservation Marine Staff.

It's the second time the breed of seal has been spotted in Napier, and the seventh time in New Zealand.

'The first visit we received was back in 2007 – so it is truly a rare sighting indeed,' ranger Rod Hansen said.

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People are urged to give the seal a wide berth.

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People are urged to give the juvenile seal a wide berth.

DOC Hawke's Bay operations manager Moana Smith-Dunlop said the policy with seals was not to intervene, and people should stay at least 20 meters away, and not throw anything or make loud noises.

Dogs should also be kept on leads.

The Weddell seal is named after James Weddell, who was a British sailor and seal hunter.

They grow up to 500 kilograms and usually travel no more than 100km away from their colonies - although there have been reports of the seals in New Zealand and Australia.