Wildlife
Nature abounds on the South Coast
We are pleased and proud to be able to offer you viewing opportunities of many species of New Zealand wildlife, without promising you will see them all!
Our Seal Safari Gallery shows you what you may see as you travel on a Seal Coast Safari.
Seals
We visit and observe New Zealand Fur Seals, Arctocephelous forsterii, which are large, very furry marine mammals. They used to be common all around the coastline of New Zealand in pre-human days, that is, before around 1300 AD. In those days, it is estimated that the total population was around 1.5 million seals, whereas now, sadly, there are only about 50 – 100,000. But the good news is that they are increasing in numbers every year.
We see mainly male seals, although females and pups are often seen in the latter part of the winter season – August to October. The seals will be stretched out on the sand or pebbles, or draped over rocks, usually sleeping off their previous night’s meal.
Orca whales
These magnificent sea mammals, also known as killer whales, are seen only rarely. However when a family of mum, dad and baby orca cruise past the seal colony, they rise in the waves almost like dolphins. On the rise the black and white of their bodies are very noticeable, as are the tall, vertical dorsal fin of the male.
Dolphins
We occasionally see these endearing animals, often in schools of up to 40 or 50. They will be in one of the many bays we traverse on the safari.
Wild horses
These horses, like the brumbies in Australia, originate from domestic horses that escaped or were set free by early settlers, and have joined a wild herd. These particular horses are Kaimanua horses, that is, they come from a large wild herd in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand.
Wild goats
The black ones are original wild goats from the days of Captain Cook in the 18th century. The coloured ones originate from the days when Long Gully Station was set up as a goat farm. The goat farm did not prosper, and finally the goats were left to fend for themselves. They have become completely wild, and form part of the nation-wide population of wild goats that are known to cause much damage to our emerging native forests.
Banded dotterels
These pretty little birds are full of character, as they run around over the sand and pebbles of Karori Flats bay. The prominent red and black bands on the male’s breast give these dotterels their first name. They are dogged and very brave fighters when protecting their young.
Spur-winged plovers
These are the baddies if you are a banded dotterel! They are large, aggressive birds, with sharp spurs on the tips of their wings that can be used to cut up their enemies or prey as they fly in to attack.
