seal.watch / new zealand

New Zealand · public record

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New Zealand · observation

Waikouaiti Beach, Otago

· Otago

Adult female leopard seal Autahi was last sighted alive at Waikouaiti Beach.

Species
Leopard seal
Number of seals
1
Attributed name
Autahi (HLNZ-P068)
Source
Frontiers in Marine Science; LeopardSeals.org; Otago Museum/Department of Conservation

About this record

Supporting evidence
Original research article Table 5 records 20091126 at Waikouaiti Beach, Otago for HLNZ-P068 (Autahi). Figure 3 caption says the animal was last sighted alive there on 26 November 2009. This record describes the wild observation, not the later recovery/necropsy context.
Identification confidence
Confirmed
Editorial status
Published by Seal Watch.

Source wording, attributed names and approximate date labels are preserved. A published report does not establish a verified animal identity.

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Other reports with the same broad area or attributed name.

Taiaroa Head / Otago Peninsula coast

New Zealand fur seals were observed on the shore during a wildlife cruise along the Otago Peninsula. No count was given.

Source: Wildlife Travel — Michael Blencowe, January 2026 trip report

Otago, New Zealand

Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri).

Source: matthieu gil — iNaturalist (matthieu53357)

Otago, New Zealand

Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx). The observer described the seal raising its head as vehicles passed. This record covers the dated encounter, not unverified earlier visits mentioned in the caption.

Source: Jane Gosden — iNaturalist (janegosden)