A lazy leopard seal has been soaking up the sun on a Whangarei wharf, much to the delight of locals.
The large seal was first spotted yesterday on Pier 2 in the town basin, and it returned again today to enjoy the fine weather and rest before heading out again to hunt.
Leopard seals are not common in New Zealand, mostly living in Antarctica, but several sightings over the past few years have prompted a new study on how many there are, and how often they come here.
Scientists from the Orca Research Trust and NIWA are now actively collecting accounts of sightings through a Facebook page - Leopard Seal Sightings NZ - the Leopardseals.org website and the 0800 LEOPARD hotline.
Research volunteer Giverny Forbes said the team is now trying to build a catalogue of how many leopard seals there are in New Zealand at any time, and look into historical sightings.
"Some days we'll have three sightings in different locations around the country," she said.
Another leopard seal recently became so well-known to Auckland and Hauraki Gulf boaties that she was named by the Department of Conservation - Owha.
Ms Forbes said evidence had recently been discovered of leopard seal bones in Maori middens dating back as far as the 1600s, indicating they may have been coming here for centuries.
As for this seal, locals had been visiting regularly and were very interested, by Ms Forbes said it is a good idea to stay well clear of the large predators.
"They do have the potential to be very dangerous," she said.
"If they're on land, mostly all they want to do is sleep ... stay 20 metres away - that way you're less likely to disturb the seal."
This seal - a male - is almost two metres long, but large females can grow up to 3.5m and weigh several hundred kilograms.
"You really want to keep your small children and your dogs away from them."
The seal moved on from the pier just after lunchtime today.
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