BirdingNZ.net

Hi all,

It doesnt look like anyone else has reported this here. Yesterday morning there was a Leopard Seal loafing on the marina at Marsden Cove (on the wooden marina walkway nearest to the boat ramp) near Whangarei, and DOC signage nearby implied that the animal had been present for quite a while (?). It looked very healthy and well-fed.

Does anyone know of Leopard Seal records further North than this?- it seems pretty extreme to me.

It was not visible in the afternoon, but a pod of at least 7 Orca were just off Marsden Point giving wonderful views.

cheers

This is Ohwa the female leopard seal, she went to Tutukaka for a couple of weeks from Westhaven. But she was harassed a lot there with too many people taking selfies of her. She has been at Marsden for about two weeks.

Damn...lucked out on the orca, would love to see some photos please. I am sure you contacted ORT? 0800 SEEORCA

Thanks Mig,

I didnt take any photos of the Orca - just watched with my mouth open!

Yep, called the Orca Hotline.

cheers

Back in university days (I think it was November 1978) I saw a leopard seal in Whangaparapara Harbour on Great Barrier, so not quite that far north, but close.