Forest & Bird disgusted by fur seal clubbing
Independent conservation organisation Forest & Bird is disgusted and disappointed by today’s news that 23 fur seals have been found clubbed to death at the popular
tourist viewing spot at Ohau Point near Kaikoura.
New Zealand fur seals are a threatened species, protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. They were previously
almost wiped out by commercial sealing and have now only recovered in a fraction of their former range.
The Ohau Point fur seal colony is one of Kaikoura’s leading tourist attractions, where people can safely experience wild
animals from the roadside. Tourism contributes heavily to the Kaikoura economy.
“The deliberate killing of our wildlife is disgusting and the people of Kaikoura and New Zealand will be outraged,” said
Forest & Bird Marine Conservation Advocate Kirstie Knowles.
“Everyone will condemn these stupid and cruel attacks.”
Forest & Bird is supporting Department of Conservation pleas for anyone with information about the cowardly attacks to come
forward.
ENDS