Leopard seal sightings at Caroline Bay bring call for caution

Sunday, 5 August 2018

Beachgoers have been urged to display caution when walking along Caroline Bay, and to keep a close eye on their dogs, after numerous sightings of leopard seals on the beach in the last week.

At least four sightings of leopard seals have been reported, with two seals seen sleeping about 30 metres apart above the water line on Saturday, and Stuff receiving a report from a beachgoer on Sunday of one being seen entering the water at sunrise.

Leopard seal expert Dr Krista Hupman said it was not uncommon for the animals to visit New Zealand during the winter months.

'We're not quite sure why they come here from the Antarctic, that's something we're looking into. But we do know that sites such as Caroline Bay are abundant sources of food for leopard seals. They tend to be quite opportunistic,' she said.

Hupman said the presence of little blue penguins, which nest at Caroline Bay ,could be attractive to the visitors, but so far, there had not been any reports of the penguins being eaten by leopard seals.

She said there had been reports of one particular leopard seal visiting various parts of New Zealand for more than six years.

'Others stay for a few days, some a few weeks, and even some for a few months. There's no set pattern to how long they make New Zealand their home,' Hupman said.

Leopard seals can live until their late 20s.

'You would expect the ones to arrive in New Zealand to be a bit straggly, but nearly all of the reported sightings of leopard seals in New Zealand have found them in very good condition,' Hupman said.

She said there have been only two known instances of leopard seals breeding in New Zealand. 

The Department of Conservation stipulates that people should keep about 20m distance from leopard seals which come up to the beach.

'They can be startled or react to humans, but mostly they keep to themselves,' Hupman said.

Sightings can be reported to the Department of Conservation's hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or 0800 LEOPARD (0800 536 7273).