The seal silly season is back with reports flooding in of adventurous kekeno turning up in unusual places.
Young seals and male seals like to explore their locations over winter. Photo: 123RF
The Department of Conservation has urged people to admire the New Zealand fur seals from a safe distance as more come ashore for winter.
Marine Science adviser Laura Boren said young seals and male seals could be spotted as they left their breeding colonies to explore and rest from May to September.
"It's exciting because it really indicates that fur seals are doing well and this time of year provides for some unique and special encounters with them," Boren said.
"We've had reports from the West Coast, where a seal turned up at the Hokitika Transfer Station, a three or four kilometre swim from the sea, all the way up to Northland, where two seals were recently moved off the main road in Whangārei."
Kekeno spend much of their time on land resting and basking in the sun, despite being marine mammals, and often explore their location.
A young fur seal basking. Photo: 123RF
One adventurous seal ventured 90km inland to the Hobbiton movie set last October.
Boren said people should be prepared to see young pups alone, or seals regurgitating, sneezing, coughing or crying.
"This is all part of their normal behaviour and they are very resilient animals. Watch, enjoy them from a distance and let them be.
"Call the DOC hotline - 0800 362 468 - only if they are in immediate danger, like relaxing on a road, severely injured or tangled in debris."
Keeping dogs under control was one way for people to help keep kekeno safe.
"If you are walking your dog in areas where seals regularly haul out, or see a seal on your beach, put your dog on a lead until you are away from the seal," Boren said.
"Nearly half of the hotline calls we receive about dogs and wildlife interactions are seals or sea lions being harassed or attacked.
"This is bound to be a fraction of what occurs."