Seal of approval: Pups flip for Okains Bay river life

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Barrel rolls, body slams and back flips are just some of the moves a group of agile fur seal pups are pulling out in a Banks Peninsula River.

Okains Bay resident Emma Huckstep has been capturing the seal pups on video since the start of the month, hanging out in pods of up to 10 and frolicking in the local river.

She said pups playing under the one-lane bridge beside Victoria Park at the start of the township seemed like a new occurrence.

“They’re normally down the beach end at the estuary. They’ve worked their way up [the tidal river] in the last week.”

Having lived in Okains Bay for five years, Huckstep saw her first live seal on the beach about six weeks ago after seeing a few dead ones in the area over the years.

The fur seal pups have been using Okains Bay as their playground, enjoying the river’s shallow waters for practising swimming and socialising.

The pups have been a source of entertainment ever since, Huckstep watching one twirl a cabbage tree leaf in its mouth through the water, and another play with a small fish.

“They’re cute,” she said.

Department of Conservation community ranger Cat Barnett said it was “very exciting” seeing the pups in the area.

“It’s indicative of an increasing population.”

It was likely the pups were born in November or December, she said.

It’s coming up to seal silly season, which will see juvenile seals exploring even further afield, and possibly out-of-the-way places, including pubs. (File photo)

“Around this time of year they’re getting braver and more independent, exploring their local area together in little groups and keeping themselves occupied while the mothers are out foraging.”

Fur seal pups around the country will be venturing out from their colonies this time of year, practising swimming and socialising in shallow water.

Fur seals generally give birth to one pup a year.

“Seal silly season” is approaching, Barnett said, prompting weaned juvenile fur seals more than a year old to “explore even more”, leading to them being found in unexpected places like Bunnings stores and bars.

“Fur seals and sea lions can be pretty curious. A sea lion has been found in Rakiura (Stewart Island) pub before.”

The best advice for those wanting to enjoy watching seals was to stay 20m away, keep dogs on leads, and contact DOC if there is any immediate danger to them, Barnett said.

She said DOC would continue to monitor the Okains Bay pups and if it looked like they were staying, signs would be installed.