Rfalconcam Forum

 :crying:

AP WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Dec. 5) -- Attackers clubbed 23 fur seals to death, including newborn pups, at a New Zealand breeding colony re-established two decades ago after the species was nearly wiped out by hunting.

Some of the eight bludgeoned pups were just days old, said Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson. She appealed for assistance from the public to help track down the attackers.

"To go around and club 23 seals to death over a number of days is very deliberate and you have to question the state of mind of someone who can carry out such a cruel and abhorrent attack," Wilkinson said in a statement.

The Ohau Point seal colony on northern South Island is a popular tourism spot north of the town of Kaikoura, which is an international whale-watching center.

The Department of Conservation said the attacks took place over as long as two weeks. The location may have delayed the discovery.

The colony stretches about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) along the coast and is at the bottom of a steep, 100-foot (30-meter) cliff with no easy access, department spokesman Rory Newsam said.

Fur seal numbers are gradually increasing in New Zealand after the species was nearly exterminated by hunters in the 1800s. The midsize seals are not native to New Zealand.

The Ohau Point colony was only reoccupied for breeding in 1990, and about 600 fur seal pups were born there in 2004, said Bruce Robertson, a seal specialist and senior lecturer in zoology at Otago University.

Sponsored LinksHe said the long-term losses for the population could be dire. The attacks killed 13 breeding females, which meant 13 pups dependent on their milk would die and fewer pups will be born next year, Robertson said.

"Given this colony is increasing in size, this loss of life is a small setback," he said Monday. "However, large mammal populations cannot sustain the repeated loss of breeding females (and) any external influences can be detrimental."

Other live seals at the colony had been seen with injuries for the attacks, Department of Conservation area manager Dave Hayes said. The weapon used was a bat or club, he said.

Under New Zealand law, killing or harming fur seals or other marine mammals incurs up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 250,000 New Zealand dollars (US$191,000).

A further fine of up to $7,600 for each marine mammal killed or harmed can also be imposed by the court.

Oh no, this is so sad! Here, seals have also been known to meet this fate - tho I have not seen/heard anything similar in the last long while. Seems (you think?!) the fishermen blame the seals for diminishing fish stocks. Ok. Let's have a think here...

That is very sad.  :'(

That is so so sad. I really don't like people who do this.

 :snarl:  Throw the book at 'em!   :police:

I was thinking of something heavier than a book, MAK.

On another note, tho - the NZ fines a certainly alot more acceptable (?) than the piddling amounts we have here. A mere matter of pence - just pocket money for the evil-doers.

Yeah Bobbie I did make notice of the steep fines compared to others.  They need to be even higher!  :gum:

Oh, yeah! Massive fines. AND confiscation of equipment... including boats, cars... anything they used to carry out their dreadful deed. That'll show 'em... or will it??

Nah, it won't even leave a mark!  Have you noticed that seal hunters are all in countries that were colonies of the Great British Empire...  What does this say...mean...? :sherlock:

Anne in Toronto ON Canada (formerly a colony of the British Empire!)

It means the Great British Empire was really, really, big.

Shaky in Rochester NY USA (formerly a colony of the British Empire!)

Yep, you've got a really good point there!  :hysterical:

Anne in Toronto