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New Zealand Fur Seal or Kekeno(Arctocephalus fosteri)
Contributed by Rosemary Tully of Whakatane Bird Rescue.
Photos by Rosemary Tully and Alex Eagles Tully.
 The
New Zealand fur seal is increasing in numbers and in 2002 over 80 seals
are believed to have rested on Whale Island (Moutohora).
The population of New Zealand fur seals is put between 50-60,000 animals.
Fur seals breed in the South Island on rocky shorelines and islands south
of New Zealand.
Breeding takes place between mid November - mid January and the pups are
suckled for around 300 days.
Pups will feed on solid food before weaning.
Fur seals eat mainly squid, octopus and barracouta but will take other
fish. The male
seal will grow to a length of 1.6 metres, the female is smaller.
The fur coat of the seal is usually dark brown in colour but some do vary
being lighter or greyer.
The photograph below shows an adult seal resting on rocks.
The New Zealand fur seal was persecuted for many years in the 1800s
for their skins but in 1894 they were given full protection.
Seals can live to 14-17 years. This
seal is predated on by sharks, orca, and larger seals.
Thephotograph above is of a young seal that was resting on Ohope
Beach.
© Ohope Beach.info 2003
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