A seal is currently being chased by police officers as it hops from one garden to another in Papakura, causing chaos for residents.
The flippered creature had initially run amok on Subway Rd, disturbing businesses before jumping onto Great South Rd and halting traffic and then entering people’s gardens on Coles Cres.
It even had a standoff with a police car, but the animal continues to escape officers’ grips.
It was a very unusual start to a routine work shift for KFC Papakura staff member Jonny Wimpress when a seal jumped in front of him.
“It came out of nowhere.
“I was sitting in the van at the car park when I saw it first. It nearly knocked me off my feet.
“It is a big old boy.”
He said it was about 10am when the fearless animal failed to stop when confronted by a police car on Subway Rd.
“It started running around. The police had a standoff with it.
“It went through the KFC car park then around businesses, they had to close the road.
“It even jumped onto Great South Rd, the main highway. Now it has entered people’s gardens on Coles Cres.
“It is chaos.”
Wimpress said there were currently three police cars attending the scene and officers luring the creature to come out.
“I don’t know what they plan to do with it afterwards.”
A police spokesperson said officers had been busy sealing off an area in Papakura this morning.
“It appears a seal is trying out their land flippers.
“We have road police units currently assisting on Coles Crescent to ensure our furry friend is kept safe, as are our motorists.
“Department of Conservation has been informed of the seal-y behaviour.”
DoC acting operations manager Helen Rowlands said the seal had possibly come into the area from the Pahurehure inlet.
“Seals are exploratory by nature and often make their way into urban areas. This seal has made its way to a residential address.
“The Department of Conservation is supporting the Police to manage the seal and ensure it is not causing harm to itself or people.
“We have a trained volunteer on site, and DoC staff are working on options to usher or transport the seal back to the water.”
Akula Sharma is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2022. She has previously worked at the Gisborne Herald.
Armed police stood guard as the patched members were led out in handcuffs.