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It’s seal haul-out season, the time of year when fur seals – kekeno – tend to venture further afield and appear in unusual places, well inland from their coastal breeding colonies.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is looking for volunteers this winter to monitor and respond to callouts of apparently stranded or distressed seals in unexpected places.
DOC marine science advisor Laura Boren says kekeno are keen explorers and populations are increasing.
“Kekeno are exploratory by nature and exhibit some strange behaviours when hauled-up on land,” she says.
“People may feel concerned seeing young pups alone, or seals regurgitating, sneezing, coughing or crying – but this is all part of their normal behaviour.”
DOC is looking for volunteers to join its Seal Observation Squad, to respond to callouts from concerned members of the public between Mahurangi and Te Arai, from now until spring.
Volunteers will record and report on seal behaviour to DOC, and help manage public interest and concerns at a site where a seal is spotted. They are not expected to handle or relocate seals, just take pictures, put up signs, keep a log of seal activity in their area and provide DOC’s seal management information to the public.
Full training will be given to volunteers, but good communication skills, a NZ driver’s licence and the ability to respond to a callout at short notice are essential.
Seals are often spotted at Mangawhai, Maungaturoto and, on occasion, inland. DOC says no one should be surprised to see kekeno these days, even a long way from the beach – in 2021, a seal spent several days in Hobbiton, in the Waikato, more than 90 km from the nearest shoreline.
To find out more about volunteering for the Seal Observation Squad, visit www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/volunteer/in-your-region/auckland/seal-observation-squad-volunteers/
