The Department of Conservation is appealing for information about a series of seal shootings on Stewart Island.
In the third case this year, a New Zealand fur seal has been found shot dead.
The adult male fur seal is the third to be killed this year. Photo: Department of Conservation
The adult male had a single hole in its side, suggesting that it had been shot at close range with a rifle.
Two of the critically endangered sealions were found shot dead earlier this year.
DoC's Southern Islands conservation services manager Jo Hiscock said today it is alarming because it appears a pattern may be building.
Ms Hiscock said the most likely culprits are hunters or fishermen, and she wants the public to help find them.