Man throws dead fish at leopard seal's face on Petone Beach

Footage of a man throwing a dead fish at a three-metre leopard seal on Petone Beach has emerged online, with the Department of Conservation (DOC) warning people harassing the animal could land them a hefty fine.The seal - which had left by Monday morning - was first spotted on the Wellington beach on Friday night, and attracted hundreds of spectators over the weekend.Local Carrie was one of several yelling at the man to stop, heard in the background of a video shared to social media."I heard him saying to his kids, 'Let's go feed it'," she told RNZ."He hopped the little fence, and got the fish, and threw it at the seal."Carrie said the man then looked at the crowd of about 20 people and yelled at them to "feed the bugger".A fish is thrown at a leopard seal at a Lower Hutt beach.SuppliedCarrie said she had left quite concerned that something would happen to the seal, after seeing teenagers daring each other to go up to it.DOC advised people stay to least 20 metres away from leopard seals and not to feed or throw things at them.It is an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 (MMPA) to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a seal, carrying a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment or a fine of $250,000.Marine biologist Georgia Stewart was thrilled to see a seal on her turf on Saturday.However, she was disappointed to find dogs getting far too close to the apex predator."A dog got went right up to it and got in its face and then went around to the tail end."A dog owner whose dog attacks a seal can face prosecution.Stewart explained seals were powerful apex predators, with deadly jaws."They look very sleepy and cute, but they can be really quick. And so, the danger is that it could kill your dog very easily."And it's not the seal's fault if it does that and your dog's in its face."Stewart said she witnessed multiple people who did not see the seal and almost walked straight into it.She said a lack of urgency from dog owners to call their pet back, as well as a lack of recall training generally, was concerning.Maine biology student Ivan Raynaud told RNZ he saw multiple people shine flashlights in the seal's face."When the torches and flashes shone on the seal he was starting to get more disturbed and agitated, rolling over more, yawning and sort of trying to turn his face away."Raynaud said he tried to tell people to stop, but he was told there were "no rules"."The people did not seem to care."The seal, which DOC confirmed on Monday afternoon was a "roughly 3-metre-long female", was one of many to show up on New Zealand shores over winter, as the animals made their way over from the Antarctic.DOC ranger for marine reserves, Breanna Hindmarsh, said the average seal on the beach should be left alone to rest and was generally not in need of help."Never get between them and the sea," says Breanna. "Although a magnificent sight, leopard seals can be quite dangerous if provoked or threatened.""These are apex predators with powerful jaws and sharp teeth, so leaving them alone and admiring from afar is the best option for everyone."Although most people treated the leopard seal with respect and caution, some were seen engaging in dangerous behaviour."But we've also seen some disturbing footage of someone throwing a fish to the leopard seal and reports of dogs approaching and possibly attacking it. We are following up on these reports."If you see a seal that is injured, being harassed, or in danger, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 36 24 68) to let DOC know.