A juvenile seal was found stranded at the Muri beach on Thursday morning. SUPPLIED/25070309 /25070310/25070324
A juvenile seal discovered at Muri beach on Thursday passed away after being taken to Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) and National Environment Service (NES) attended to what looked like a “tired” seal lying on the beach in Muri on Thursday morning.
According to an eyewitness, the seal was still alive. MMR and NES were contacted and subsequently attended to the seal, which was found on the beach between the Nautilus Resort and Muri Beach Resort.
MMR secretary Pamela Maru said the team went out and located the seal and it was taken by Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.
A Te Are Manu Vet Clinic spokesperson told Cook Islands News: “The seal was really, really sick and passed away.”
This is not the first time New Zealand fur seals have been sighted in Rarotonga waters.
A juvenile New Zealand fur seal was sighted swimming in Rarotonga’s lagoon in July 2023.
In a statement on their Facebook page, MMR then said: “If you happen to see a seal, please stay at least 20 metres away and do not attempt to feed it. Please report any sightings to MMR – phone 28721.”
“Because the Cook Islands are well outside of the normal range of these seals, they are considered vagrants to the area. Many thanks to the member of the public who initially notified us. Although these seals may look friendly, they can be aggressive if frightened.”
In July 2021, a fur seal nicknamed “Nosey” camped near the Trader Jack’s. In August that year, a New Zealand fur seal was discovered on Amuri beach in Aitutaki. The seal was believed to be the one discovered in Rarotonga and “appeared to be in a stressed state”. It later died.
