Single seal seeks cool dinghy

A boat would provide some shade with style for Kaiako's enclosure...

With summer approaching, Auckland Zoo is appealing for an animal-friendly boatie to donate a wooden dinghy for its only New Zealand fur seal, Kaiako.

The zoo said Kaiako did not spend as much time in the water as his Californian sealion counterparts and needed something to provide some shade.

"In his natural environment, Kaiako would have rocks, boats and other forms of shelter he could use, but we are limited in what we currently have – a dinghy is a great solution to provide the shade and shelter he will need," spokesman Andrew Coers said.

The zoo is planning to erect a shade sail to provide long-term protection to Kaiako, however it said a smallish wooden dinghy would assist the zoo in the interim.

* Anyone with a suitable dinghy who would like to donate it to the zoo should contact Abigail Smith on (09) 360 4872 or abigail.smith@aucklandcity.govt.nz