Orphaned pups likely to die after seal attack

Biodiversity Programme manager Phil Bradfield inspects two seal carcasses. Photo / DOC

The toll of a "callous" attack on 23 fur seals in the South Island is likely to grow as orphaned pups struggle without their mothers.

The Department of Conservation has condemned the killing of 13 females, two bulls, and eight pups near popular tourist spot Ohau Point on the Kaikoura coast.

DoC South Marlborough area manager Dave Hayes believed the seals, some of which were days old, had been killed over several days by a person, or persons, "of some strength".

"This is a callous and cowardly attack on seals, especially newborn pups, unable to defend themselves against someone striking them with a bat or similar club-like object."

Other live seals had injuries that indicated they had also been struck.

Zoology lecturer Bruce Robertson, from the University of Otago, said that while 23 seals were killed, the real number was likely to be greater. He estimated the killings would lead to the deaths of nearly 50 animals.

"This is because females at this time of year are most likely to have a pup and these pups are totally dependent on their mother's milk for survival. So if the mother is killed the pup will die.

"Also, females mate about a week after giving birth and hence have a developing embryo in the womb, which also would be killed."

Dr Robertson said the loss of life was a small setback to the growing seal colony at Ohau Point, which was established to redress indiscriminate sealing in the 1800s. He said that large mammal populations could not sustain repeated losses of breeding females.

DoC reported that no parentless pups had yet been found, but said they would certainly die if left alone.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said she was "beyond appalled" at the deaths. "To go around and club 23 seals to death over a number of days is very deliberate and you have to question the state of mind of someone who can carry out such a cruel and abhorrent attack."

Fur seals are protected by law and it is an offence to harm or kill them. The person or persons responsible could face six months in jail or a fine of up to $250,000, with further fines of $10,000 for each animal harmed.

A DoC spokeswoman said the department was relying on the public to come forward with information on the attack. The organisation has reported the incident to police.

A motive for the clubbing is unknown. Mr Hayes said some antagonism towards seals stemmed from the "misplaced belief that seals were eating large amounts of fish species valued for human consumption".

Anyone with information about the seal attack and the person or persons responsible is asked to contact DoC's South Marlborough Area Office in Renwick, phone (03) 572-9100 or police.