seal.watch / new zealand

New Zealand · public record

← Back to the archive

New Zealand · observation

Otago, New Zealand

· Otago

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

Species
New Zealand fur seal
Number of seals
Not recorded
Attributed name
Unidentified
Source
matthieu gil — iNaturalist (matthieu53357)

About this record

Supporting evidence
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/259602322 — Observed 2025-01-26; uploaded 2025-01-26. Community identification is source metadata, not independent confirmation. Public locality label is approximate.
Identification confidence
Not recorded
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.

Share this observation

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 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)

Waikouaiti Beach, Otago

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

Source: Frontiers in Marine Science; LeopardSeals.org; Otago Museum/Department of Conservation