Six decapitated baby seals found in New Zealand
‘Disturbing, brutal and violent’ crime reported to the police by New Zealand Department of Conservation
The bodies of six decapitated baby seals have been found in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) said the 11-month-old seals were found by a tourism operator floating in the tidal wash at Scenery Nook, a remote bay in the country’s Banks Peninsula near the town of Christchurch.
When the DOC visited the bay there was no sign of the seals' heads.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Due to the disturbing, brutal and violent nature of this crime against defenceless seal pups, it has been reported to the police,” said DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson in a statement.
Thompson added that it appeared the seals had been killed elsewhere then dumped in the beauty spot from a boat.
“We believe it's incredibly unlikely sharks would have bitten the heads off six seals but left the bodies untouched,” he said.
Thompson added the killers may have mistakenly believed the seals were competing with local anglers for fish.
“Regrettably, antagonism towards seals is often due to the misplaced belief that seals are eating large amounts of fish species valued for human consumption,” he said.
“That isn't the case. Research shows 90% of Banks Peninsula fur seal diet is made up of lantern fish which are not sought after in fishing.”
Black Cat Cruises chief executive Paul Milligan told New Zealand news website Stuff that a member of staff spotted the seals while on a harbour cruise yesterday and alerted the DOC.
“Unfortunately there were members of the public on board... it's not something they wanted to see and certainly not something we would usually come across. It's pretty upsetting for everyone,” he said.
Three of the seals “have been buried by DOC rangers and the other three bodies will be taken to Massey University for examination”, says the BBC. The DOC has appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Fur seals are the most common seals in New Zealand, with a population of more than 200,000, and are protected under the country's Marine Mammals Protection Act.
It is a criminal offence to harass, disturb or harm them, “but there have been several cases of people injuring or killing seals after becoming frustrated over low fish numbers in the ocean”, says Stuff.
Anyone charged with killing a marine mammal “faces a maximum penalty of two years in jail or a maximum fine of $250,000 (£135,000)”, the website adds.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published