DoC follows leads on seal slaughter

DoC's Phil Bradfield with two of the seal carcasses. Photo / DoC

The Department of Conservation is following up leads on who carried out the brutal clubbing of 23 fur seals near Kaikoura last week.

DoC contractors found the bodies of the slaughtered seals, which included several pups, at Ohau Point on Wednesday. It is believed the protected mammals were clubbed over the course of a few days.

DOC South Marlborough area manager Dave Hayes said there had been a huge public reaction to the brutal attack.

"We've been getting calls from members of the public, some are offering money to go towards a reward, some are calling to say they are disgusted and are offering wishes of good luck, and some are offering information," he said.

"We've got a couple of leads that we are following up, as are police."

Mr Hayes was hopeful those responsible would be caught.

"I'm reasonably confident at this stage because of the coverage it has got from the media," he said. "There is a high likelihood whoever has done this is now commenting on it and someone will come forward with who it is."

Matt Chambers, the manager of the 23-year-old tourism venture Seal Swim Kaikoura, echoed that sentiment.

"If somebody is stupid enough to do this they are going to be stupid enough to open their mouths."

DOC spokeswoman Trish Grant said no new deaths had been discovered but staff would be checking the seals carefully, particularly the pups who could have lost their mothers in the attack.

"We will keep an eye on them and it will be concerning if some look poorly. They can only be fed by their own mothers, I believe."

Mr Hayes dismissed a report on Time magazine's website that the mammals were killed for their fur.

"There is no indication any body parts were removed," he said.

The attack has received worldwide coverage and condemnation, with stories in Britain's Daily Telegraph, the BBC, Australia's ABC and Sydney Morning Herald, China's Beijing News and in the Angola Press, among others.

The lobby group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering up to $2500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

- With NZPA