Saturday, 7 March 2026

First species from New Zealand

In addition to "wildlife streams" I have now started to check "bird streams" and this new area provided a surprise when I checked the Ōamaru Penguins Live Cam. There I suddenly saw seals, and when I investigated my finding, I found out that the species is New Zealand Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri), species number 78 for me.

Arctocephalus forsteri (common names include the Australasian fur seal, South Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal,  Antipodean fur seal, or long-nosed fur seal) is a species of fur seal found mainly around southern Australia and New Zealand. The name New Zealand fur seal is used by English speakers in New Zealand; kekeno is used in the Māori language. As of 2014, the common name long-nosed fur seal has been proposed for the population of seals inhabiting Australia.

Although the Australian and New Zealand populations show some genetic differences, their morphologies are very similar, and thus they remain classed as a single species. After the arrival of humans in New Zealand, and particularly after the arrival of Europeans in Australia and New Zealand, hunting reduced the population to near-extinction.

Take a close look at the photo. there's surprisingly many seals in it.



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