A reward is being offered for information about the death of a protected leopard seal on a Northland Beach.
Shane Searle had taken a video of the seal on the Northland beach before it was found dead the next day. Photo: Supplied/Shane Searle
The Department of Conservation said the seal was shot in the face near Glinks Gully Beach, just outside of Dargaville.
A marine biologist said the seal was shot with a shotgun.
Environment group Sea Shepherd is offering $5000 for information leading to the prosecution of the killer or killers.
"The killing has upset a lot of people. Our shores should be a place of refuge for such beautiful marine creatures and we are so lucky they visit us. We hope the reward will motivate someone to do the right thing and get this disturbed wildlife killer locked up," said Sea Shepherd NZ Managing Director Michael Lawry.
A post-mortem of the seal is still underway.
Seals are protected under the Wildlife Act and causing them harm can result in two years in prison or a quarter of a million dollar fine.