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.<\/p>\n
Clearwater Wildlife Tours owner Rachel Kerr spotted a juvenile elephant seal on private land at Cape Saunders about a week ago.<\/p>\n
Initially she thought it was a fleeting appearance but then realised it was in the midst of what is known as a catastrophic moult \u2014 a once-a-year occurrence in which elephant seals remain onshore and fast for about a month while forming a new coat.<\/p>\n
“He turned up one morning and we were delighted to see him,” Mrs Kerr said.<\/p>\n
“We were thrilled \u2014 it\u2019s such a rare event to see them on shore.”<\/p>\n
She suspected the seal made its way around the coast from Aramoana and Harington Point to avoid sea lions.<\/p>\n
The seal was “quite a character” and kept the tour company\u2019s guests entertained from a viewing platform at Cape Saunders.<\/p>\n
It appeared to look “pretty rough” because it had shed its fur, but it was fine.<\/p>\n
However, it could not go back out to sea because it would be too cold and vulnerable.<\/p>\n
Mrs Kerr said it was very rare to see an elephant seal and there had only been about five sightings in New Zealand \u2014 and none had been seen moulting.<\/p>\n
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