DOC is seeking information after two separate incidents of concerning behaviour towards marine mammals were reported in Auckland.
In early June, members of the public discovered two dead kekeno/NZ fur seals on Muriwai Beach in West Auckland with their heads removed.
Investigator with DOC’s national compliance team Eva Obushenkova said that “DOC science staff who’ve seen the images say the decapitations are the result of human actions, and not predation by another species”.
“It’s not acceptable for people to tamper with protected wildlife, and it’s illegal to remove a protected species’ head,” Obushenkova said, according to the Marine Mammals Protection Act.
In a second incident at Waiake Beach on Auckland’s North Shore, a witness saw a recreational boat skipper approaching a pod of dolphins between 11.20am and 12pm on May 21.
“They reported seeing the boat head straight toward the dolphins, which were clearly visible, and get very close to them,” Obushenkova said.
“Our witness has also stated the boatie later changed direction and began following the pod, steering his vessel among the dolphins and eventually stopping the engine to take photographs.”
Obushenkova said the boat involved was a Haynes Hunter named Plaisir.
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“We’d like to talk to the owner or skipper of Plaisir and encourage them to come forward.”
Under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations, vessels cannot travel through a pod of dolphins.
“When people or organisations don’t follow the rules, it further threatens our special places and native wildlife.”
Anyone who witnessed either incident or has any other information can contact DOC on 0800 DOC HOT, using the case number 9390 for the fur seals and the case number 9189 for the dolphins.
