Leopard seal visits Wellington beaches

The public is being warned to keep well away from a leopard seal on Wellington's south coast.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) said the seal spent time resting on Lyall Bay beach yesterday and later moved to Houghton Bay.

Large adult leopard seals have been known to attack humans.

DOC advised people to keep dogs and small children well away from the seal, avoid getting closer than 20m to it and not touch it, feed it or get between it and the water.

Leopard seals are usually found in Antarctic and sub Antarctic regions, but occasionally make it to New Zealand shores.

- NZPA