Seal a surprise visitor to Hunua Falls

7 October 2009

Hunua Falls in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park has this week played host to a surprise visitor.

Photo: Robin Ducker Photography 2009 www.robinduckerphotography.com

A young New Zealand fur seal made its way up the Wairoa River and has been ‘hanging out’ at the popular spot in the forested valley.

“We’ve never seen anything like it!”says ARC Principal Ranger Tony Oliver. “This little feller has really been enjoying itself playing in the water around the falls and feasting on trout and eels.”

“We’ve had hundreds of visitors come out for a look already, including people who have been visiting the Hunua Ranges for decades and have never seen such an unusual sight,” he says.

Recent rain has swollen the Hunua catchment increasing the amount of water running into the Wairoa River and over the Hunua Falls, giving the seal plenty of rushing water to surf and frolic in.

ARC rangers contacted the Department of Conservation (DOC) who advised that seals sometimes do venture upstream to inland river spots and that it is likely to make its own way back out to sea.

The seal appears to have headed back along the Wairoa River this morning and out to sea. Rangers will check throughout the day to see if it returns. It is suspected that a pod of orca seen in the harbour may have encouraged it up the river.

“Our team will be keeping an eye out for the seal and will make sure it doesn’t get into trouble and isn’t disturbed,” says Tony.

New Zealand fur seals are a protected species and must not be approached by the public. The ARC recommends that people do not enter the water or swim in the river around the Hunua Falls for their own safety. This area has dangerous currents, deceptive depths and is extremely cold, especially in times of high rainfall.

“Please observe the warning signs and, parents, keep an eye on your kids at all times, making sure they do not play in or near the river,” says Mr Oliver.

About Hunua Falls

• Situated in the north western part of the Hunua Ranges.

• Hunua Falls have been a popular attraction for Aucklanders since Victorian times when visitors travelled by steamer to Clevedon and took day trips to picnic and swim at the Falls.

About Hunua Ranges Regional Park

• Made up of more than 14,000 hectares of native forest

• Offers tramping, mountain bike tracks, amazing scenery, fishing and waterfalls

• 227,000 people visit the Hunua Ranges Regional Park each year

• Water catchment dams in the Ranges account for 54 per cent of the region’s water storage capacity

ENDS

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