A New Zealand fur seal was sighted hunting and successfully capturing an eel in a river in Christchurch.
The seal was captured on video swimming along the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River in St Martins.
Sam Davidson recorded the incident and shared it on social media over the weekend.
“A massive Seal caught me off guard by the river out of the blue! What happened next was unbelievable,” he wrote in his post.
Onlookers can be heard congratulating the eel on its catch, exclaiming “what a catch!”
Davidson recounted to The Press how he initially mistook the large brown figure for a seal. “It emerged from the water, it was a spectacular sight,” he said.
He followed the seal for about a kilometer as it caught the eel and devoured it after a brief struggle between predator and prey.
According to the Department of Conservation, New Zealand fur seals are occasionally spotted in Christchurch rivers, with around two to three sightings annually.
If you encounter a New Zealand fur seal, DOC advises leaving it undisturbed.
Where to Spot Seals
Once on the brink of extinction due to extensive hunting, New Zealand fur seals are now making a comeback and reclaiming their former territories. This means more sightings of these playful creatures along the rocky coastlines of mainland New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, and the subantarctic islands.
During the months of July to September, adolescent seals tend to appear on shores and further inland. This is because seal pups are weaned as their mothers prepare for new offspring.
Seals can venture up to 15 km inland, often following rivers and streams. They may show up in unexpected locations like paddocks, roadsides, or urban streets due to their exploratory behavior.
Respect Their Space
DOC advocates for a ‘hands-off’ approach when it comes to seals. Given time and space, these animals are resilient and can usually find their way back home.
Avoid feeding seals as they may become dependent on human food sources.
Seals are wild creatures and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. Adult seals can move swiftly on land and can pose a danger to dogs or humans, potentially carrying infectious diseases.
Under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, it is illegal to disturb, harm, injure, or kill a seal. Dog owners whose pets attack seals could face legal consequences.
When Intervention Is Necessary
There are exceptions to the ‘hands-off’ policy. DOC will step in if a seal is:
- In visibly poor health.
- In immediate danger.
- Entangled in debris.
- Causing a disturbance, for instance, in the middle of a road.
- Being harassed.
- If you suspect a seal is in distress, injured, or facing harassment from people, dogs, or other animals, contact DOC’s emergency hotline – 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Source: www.doc.govt.nz
-Allied Media
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“The cat jumped onto the table and knocked over a vase.”
The cat leaped onto the table and toppled a vase.
