Seals are marine mammals, however, they spend much of their time on land – particularly between June and September.
Tauranga Biodiversity Ranger Karl McCarthy says even though this is normal seal behaviour many people are concerned by it.
“Each year we receive a lot of calls from concerned members of the public. It’s great that the community cares so much about these mammals but a large number of callers describe normal seal behaviour like drifting in the water or lazing on a beach.”
Seals are often observed sneezing and coughing which Rangers say may look odd, but is likely to be the seal getting rid of undigested food like squid beaks and fish bones.
“There are often a couple of calls a year from people concerned that the seal is crying but seals don’t have tear ducts,” McCarthy says.
“Weepy eyes are normal moisture secretions. It’s also normal for seals to be immobile – seals are good at lying around and resting!”
McCarthy says DOC doesn’t want to discourage genuine calls about seal welfare and encourages the public to phone
