Recent NZ leopard seal sightings

[Michael Szabo]

Radio NZ reported on the 4pm news that a leopard seal is on Lyall Bay beach, Wellington.

[Michael Szabo]

Here is the report from the Dom Post - according to the person who reported it to DOC the animal was sedated and removed this afternoon: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... -dangerous

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

And died on the way Mind you it looks like it was ill.

[Michael Szabo]

Leopard seal dies:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... l-Bay-dies

[Michael Szabo]

I wonder if the leopard seal found in Lyall Bay today was the same one that was seen on Waimairi beach on 22 Aug?
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/368551

[Jan]

A sick-looking Leopard Seal was at Cass Bay, Lyttelton Harbour early in Aug. It must have been removed as tyremarks were seen in the area.
As well as the one at Waimari Beach, North Christchurch, another was reported from Okain's Bay on Banks Peninsula last w/e.

3? in Christchurch area, so maybe others as well.

[Michael Szabo]

Could this be a leopard seal irruption year?!

[Michael Szabo]

I've found there was another recent leopard seal sighting reported from Aramoana beach on 31 Aug:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/369371

That makes 5 recent sightings along with those Jan reported above and the one found on Lyall Bay beach last week.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

You mean leopard seal.

[Michael Szabo]

Thanks Neil - do you know who compiles NZ records of vagrant marine mammals in the same way OSNZ compiles records of vagrant birds?