Dead leopard seal found decapitated on Southland beach

Tuesday, 21 December 2021

A leopard seal similar to the one pictured was found dead and then decapitated at Monkey Island in western Southland.

A dead leopard seal left to naturally decompose on Monkey Island has been decapitated.

The Department of Conservation was informed of the dead seal last week and after discussions with the Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka, it was decided to leave the seal where it was and not bury it.

However, at the weekend its head was cut off and removed from the area the seal was in at the western Southland beach, to the horror of both groups.

Department senior biodiversity ranger Ros Cole said the department wanted to speak with people with information on what happened to the seal.

“This act is both incredibly disrespectful, and illegal under the Marine Mammals Protection Act.

'The Marine Mammal Protection Act is there to protect live or dead marine mammals, you can't interfere with them when they're dead.

'They deserve respect.'

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In the act it is an offence to take any part of a marine mammal that has not naturally separated.

Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka general manager Riki Dallas said the Rūnaka supported the department's appeal to the public for information.

'It was a terrible thing to do … hopefully someone will come forward.'

The department is calling for anyone with information to call the hotline: 0800 DOC HOT and ask for the Invercargill team.

Cole urged people who find dead marine mammals during the holidays to not interfere with them and contact the department.

'If people do encounter live marine mammals on the beach, like seals, seal lions and leopard seals, just keep their space, keep their dogs on the lead and have fun watching them from a safe distance.'

Leopard seals have a distinctive large head, with ferocious teeth. Teamed with their slim bodies, from afar they can look like a large snake.

They normally dwell in the Antarctic but visit New Zealand’s shores sometimes in autumn-winter. It is not known why the seal may have come ashore in December.