A police officer was forced to sacrifice their coat during the rescue and release of a seal amid "seal silly season" in Canterbury earlier this month.
Officers had received a report at about 3am on June 8 of a seal in the road near Lincoln's Elsmere Rd and Edward St.
Canterbury Police said in a Facebook post "Constable Bryan McQueen's coat was deployed as a tactical measure".
However, the seal wriggled down one of his sleeves in an effort to escape its rescuers.
McQueen thought the seal could have up the water race from Lake Ellesmere. The Department of Conservation (DOC) approved its release into the estuary, but not before it tried to damage its rescuers car.
"It wasn't very happy to be riding with police," McQueen said.
"It was trying to chew up the dash of the police car and anything else it could sink its teeth into."
To release the seal, McQueen's coat had to be sacrificed — the sleeve containing the seal was carefully cut open.
"We sacrificed the jacket to keep the wee fella safe, and it was a worthwhile sacrifice."
"Seal silly season" brings adventurous juvenile fur seals, sea lions and seals out into unusual locations as they explore further afield from June through to September.
The marine mammals spend considerable time on land resting and occasionally exploring. Although they are usually found on rocky shores, their natural curiosity sometimes leads them several kilometres inland, DOC marine science advisor Jody Weir said earlier this month.
"Young seals, still dependent on their mother's milk, tend to venture further afield during this period. It's common to find them on roads, in backyards, or even on living room sofas."
People are asked to contact DOC if any young seals are in immediate danger, such as being on a road, severely injured, or tangled in debris.
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