Mangawhai gets seal of approval

20 Sep, 2021

JULIA WADE

Mangawhai’s surf and sand appears to have attracted a few seals in the early spring months, with several sightings reported on social media of the glossy sea creatures either swimming in the warmer waters or sunbathing on beach rocks.

Trackies chair Gordon Hosking snapped a seal having a play in the low estuary tide while out for an early morning bike ride on September 15, and a pup was also sighted at the surf beach on September 6. The photo came with a Facebook post warning for walkers to watch their dogs as the marine animal looked quite weak.

Another seal unfortunately had to be freed from a fishing net said to be full of fish and stingrays in late August, which was laying across the channel off Tern Point

Department of Conservation advises that if members of the public come across seals to basically leave them alone and watch from a safe distance of at least 20 metres. Keep dogs and children away and no matter how cute they look, do not feed or touch as they are wild animals and can cause serious injury if they feel threatened.

However if people notice an animal is in poor condition, being harrased or in danger as in near a busy road or tangled in debris, please call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) for DOC advice.

Under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, it is an offence to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a seal and dog owners can face prosecution if their dog attacks a seal.