An investigation into the deaths of 19 fur seals on the Kaikoura coast has revealed eight were shot, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said in a statement today.
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and DOC are appealing for information about the seals’ deaths and to identify who may have shot the eight seals.
“Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and DOC first appealed for information on 5 November about the deaths of five adult seals at Half Moon Bay and another six seals at Ōhau Point, north of Kaikōura township. Since then, another eight seals – one a pup – were found dead several hundred metres north of Half Moon Bay,” DOC said.
It said a Massey University pathologist had determined from necropsies that eight adult seals died from being shot.
“The cause of death was not able to be determined from necropsies on another two adult seals and the seal pup. Necropsies weren’t possible on other seals because of decomposition or not being able to access them.”
It said the deaths of the other seals were also being treated as suspicious.
DOC South Marlborough Operations Manager, Phil Bradfield says the fact that the seals died grouped closely together gives cause for considering all the seal deaths suspicious.
“It’s disturbing and deeply disappointing to know someone has deliberately shot and killed at least eight fur seals,” he said.
“Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and DOC take very seriously any harm to fur seals which are a taonga and legally-protected species.
“We’re hoping people will come forward with information to help us find whoever is responsible for the heartless shooting of at least eight of the seals.”
He said the seals are believed to have died within the last month.
“It’s not been possible to closely examine the six dead seals in the Ōhau Point Fur Seal Sanctuary because it would disturb pregnant females and young pups in the breeding colony.”
