New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF NEW ZEALAND FUR SEALS ON THE SNARES ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND

M. C. Crawley

Zoology Department, University of Canterbury, Ham, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract The distribution and abundance of the New Zealand fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri (Lesson), on the Snares Islands, New Zealand, were investigated during November and December 1970. Excluding pups, 1,021 seals were counted on the main island in late November, giving an amended total of 1,156 when correction factors for time of day were applied. The greatest number of seals was ashore between 1200 h and 1500 h daily. Fur seals were widely but discontinuously distributed along the coast of the main island. Rookeries were present only on thei boulder beaches of the west and south-west coasts and the South-West Promontory. Non-breeding seals aggregated on rocky headlands, points and spurs mainly on the east coast. Breeding bulls defended territories containing, on average, three females. The first pup was seen on 30 November 1970, and pupping continued throughout December. On 30 December, when pupping appeared to have finished, 234 pups were counted on the island.

*University of Canterbury Snares Islands Expeditions Paper No. 11. N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 6 (1 & 2) : 115-26
(Received for publication 21 June 1971)

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (641K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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