A family in Wellington, New Zealand, landed onto a lovely image of calm and quiet the other day when looking out their walkup front porch.
A tuckered-out critter – a small fur seal, snoozing away without a care in the world — was curled up next to their entrance mat. But getting to that comfortable spot, a short distance from the water, had not been simple.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) of New Zealand stated, “[The seal] had been on a bit of a mission, climbing up the seawall stairs, crossing a road, hiking up a footpath, a driveway, and finally another set of stairs before reaching its nap spot.”
While conservationists acknowledge that resting seals may be incorrectly regarded as in need of rescue, they appear to have agreed that this little guy’s choice of napping position was less than optimal.
As a result, an officer was dispatched to assist him in finding a better one.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans had this to add: “[He was taken] further around the coast, to a safe place away from dogs and traffic.”
Fortunately, the seal appeared to be just mildly dazed after his unexpected waking.
This kind of fur seal, called locally as “kekeno,” may be found around the beaches of New Zealand and Australia – but not on people’s doorstep.
Around this time of year, however, newly weaned babies (like the one shown above) are known to leave their colonies to explore the surrounding region, “making it a prime time to see them out and about,” according to the DOC.
During this period, dubbed “silly season” by locals, inhabitants are advised to cohabit quietly with the odd errant or sleeping seal – even if it is at one’s front door.
