Photo by Craig Baxter.
Concerns about the seal's health prompted people to call the Department of Conservation, but marine ranger Jim Fyfe said the small 1.5m leopard seal seemed to be in good health and reasonable condition, even though it had some green algae and loose barnacles on it.
It appeared to have just come ashore after time at sea and the cove would seem to be a safe place to rest, he said. Usually the seals, which breed along the Antarctic ice shelf, choose a sandy beach to rest.
Sightings of leopard seals along Otago's coast had become more frequent this winter but it was not known why, Mr Fyfe said.
Earlier this winter they were seen at Oamaru, Moeraki, Aramoana and Brighton. Doc advised the public to keep their distance.
