New Zealand Furseal

New Zealand fur seal (Kekeno) has been a success story for recolonising an area from which it was hunted to extinction by European seal hunters last century. A very large population increase has occurred over the past few years. Fur seals as their name suggests have a very dense secondary layer of fur underneath the visible grey-brown guard hairs.  Sexual dimorphism is obvious with adult males reaching 2.5 metres in length and up to 185kg weight females 1.5 metres and 50kg. Fur seals prefer rocky shores close to their food supply.

Breeding occurs in Nov/Dec with large males defending breeding territories containing their harem, which they herd to retain. Females reach sexual maturity at 4 years and bear their first pup at 5 years. Aprox 8 days after the birth of their pup females mate with the local territorial male. Pups are weaned July/August after which time the female feeds at sea until November.  Furseals are always seen on ELM WILDLIFE TOURS.