September 17th, 2024
It's not every day that a sleepy elephant seal decides to take a break on your local beach, but that's exactly what happened on Thursday, 30 March on Peka Peka beach, delighting residents and beachgoers alike, according to a Department of Conservation Facebook post.
The unexpected visitor, sporting a few old injuries and looking rather thin, became the centre of attention as marine rangers and Massey University vets assessed its condition. After determining that a well-deserved rest was in order, the seal was monitored overnight before returning to the sea on the following Friday evening, hopefully en route to a much-needed feast.
The Kapiti Coast community came together in a heartwarming display of support for the seal's health and wellbeing. Special thanks are due to Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Guardians of the Kāpiti Marine Reserve, Peka Peka residents, and those who called the DOC hotline to report the arrival. Even cups of tea for the ranger were provided by kind locals.
The excitement of seeing such an uncommon visitor brought out the best in the community, with people showing genuine respect and interest in the seal and its condition. As a reminder, it's important to remember that seals are wild animals and should be treated accordingly. Even an injured seal can move quickly when threatened, so maintaining a safe distance of 20 meters and keeping dogs on a lead ensures that both you and the seal can enjoy your encounter in peace.
A glimpse of southern elephant seals in New Zealand
Once upon a time, in the breathtaking land of New Zealand, residents and tourists alike had a unique opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring presence of southern elephant seals. These massive creatures, with males measuring up to 5 meters in length and weighing 3,600 kg, were the largest species of seal in the world, according to a Department of Conservation facts and information about elephant seals.
Although southern elephant seals were primarily found on New Zealand's subantarctic islands, they occasionally made their way to the mainland's coastlines, where they would stay for months at a time. This allowed people to observe and appreciate these magnificent marine mammals up close, as they gracefully navigated the waters with surprising speed and agility.
The young seals, in particular, delighted onlookers with their playful antics. However, it was essential to remember that these were wild animals and should be treated with respect and admiration from a safe distance.
Southern elephant seals were known for their distinctive inflatable proboscis, which reached full development in adult males and amplified their impressive roars. As the seals swam and dove in the deep ocean waters, they foraged for squid, cuttlefish, and large fish, including sharks. Their incredible diving abilities allowed them to reach depths of up to 800 meters.
When it came time for breeding, males would establish dominance hierarchies and compete for the right to mate with multiple females. Pregnant females would then come ashore to give birth to their pups, nurse them, and eventually wean them before returning to the sea.
Sadly, the population of southern elephant seals had experienced a long-term decline, with various theories attributing the decrease to commercial exploitation of prey stocks or the population returning to pre-sealing levels. Despite this, the southern elephant seals' presence in New Zealand offered a rare and precious glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary marine mammals.