The seal was born off St Kilda beach on September 26, but was euthanised the next day, after its mother failed to bond with it.
Blenheim taxidermist Peter Wells was contracted to make the pup into a model to be put on display, Otago Museum said yesterday.
He would complete the preparation in Dunedin and return to his workshop where, with the help of colleague Neil Hyde, the seal pup’s skin would be tanned, treated and fitted to a custom-made mount.
It is unclear when the seal will go on display.
The birth was unusual, as leopard seals normally gave birth in the Antarctic.
Museum marketing manager Charlotte Neilson said although the outcome was sad, it provided a research opportunity to better understand the species.
The pup already had a full series of imaging using MRI and CT scanning, making it the world’s most imaged seal, she said.
"This has revealed an amazing amount of detail already about the early life stages of this species, such as how well developed the teeth of this Antarctic predator are at birth."
Mr Wells and Mr Hyde also recently worked on an eclectic flock of birds for the museum.
