A seal pup spotted "dangerously" crossing a road in Wellington this weekend has been helped back to sea, as the Department of Conservation reported a 200% increase in sightings.
Just after 1pm on Sunday, police were called following reports of the mammal crossing Hutt Rd.
The seal was found near the Wellington Railway Station and seemed to be trying to head back to the water, which involved crossing the road again, Senior Sergeant Miriam Bentley said.
"With guidance from DOC our staff were able to uplift the seal and drive it to a safe place where it was released into the water," she said.
"This was collaborative problem solving which prevented any further issues for the young seal and for road users.”
'Adventurous' seal pups spotted in Wellington CBD, Parliament grounds
The mammal was scooped up by officers on Lukes Ln, just off Manners St. (Source: Christina Irini) (Source: Supplied)
This weekend was extremely busy for seals coming ashore in the capital, DOC said, after the department received almost 75 calls in less than 72 hours.
"This is around 200% higher than we would normally expect, even during the annual 'seal silly season'," DOC principal ranger Simon Heard said.
The '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.
"Reports of seal pups came in from locations all along the Wellington coastline – including the Petone-Wellington cycleway, Seaview Industrial Area, Petone Esplanade, Wellington CBD (including Taranaki St, Cuba St, and the Railway Station), Wellington Airport, Bluebridge ferry loading areas, and even Parliament grounds," Heard said.
"One particularly adventurous seal pup was relocated five separate times in a single day, after repeatedly making its way back into areas of public activity. The pup has been returned to the coast," he said.
"Such high demand strained our capacity to respond, and we're extremely grateful for the support from off-duty DOC staff and especially New Zealand Police, who helped us keep up with the volume of incidents."
Anyone who spots a seal has been urged not to attempt to intervene but instead call 111 immediately.
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