New Zealand fur seal

How it lives

Females first breed at about 4 to 6 years and males hold territory from about 8 to 10 years. Males claim territory in late October, and females come ashore between November and January to give birth to a single pup. Pregnancy lasts about 9 months, after a delay of about 3 months before the egg implants. Pups suckle for about 300 days and are weaned around September. Wild adults average roughly 12 to 15 years, with up to about 25 years recorded.

Where it goes

IUCN lists this seal as not a migrant. Seals spread out from their colonies to feed, and males and females use different waters: males often forage in deeper water over the shelf edge, females more on the continental shelf. Mothers with young pups rarely stay away for more than about 2 days.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

The IUCN estimated about 100,000 mature individuals in 2014 and said the population is increasing. Hunting brought the species close to extinction. Colonies are now established and growing around the South Island, Stewart Island and the subantarctic islands, with new colonies on the North Island. In Australia, seals live along the southern coast, in southern Tasmania and on Macquarie Island, and small groups are forming in Bass Strait, Victoria and New South Wales. Australia lists the species as Vulnerable in New South Wales and Victoria and Rare in Tasmania (2026 lists).