A rarely seen elephant seal has made Otago Peninsula its home for Christmas as it experiences one of the most vulnerable phases of its life.
Clearwater Wildlife Tours owner Rachel Kerr spotted a juvenile elephant seal on private land at Cape Saunders about a week ago.
Initially she thought it was a fleeting appearance but then realised it was in the midst of what is known as a catastrophic moult — a once-a-year occurrence in which elephant seals remain onshore and fast for about a month while forming a new coat.
“He turned up one morning and we were delighted to see him,” Mrs Kerr said.
“We were thrilled — it’s such a rare event to see them on shore.”
She suspected the seal made its way around the coast from Aramoana and Harington Point to avoid sea lions.
The seal was “quite a character” and kept the tour company’s guests entertained from a viewing platform at Cape Saunders.
It appeared to look “pretty rough” because it had shed its fur, but it was fine.
However, it could not go back out to sea because it would be too cold and vulnerable.
Mrs Kerr said it was very rare to see an elephant seal and there had only been about five sightings in New Zealand — and none had been seen moulting.
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