Upset over wild seals at Marineland

Napier's Marineland is in strife with the Conservation Department for capturing wild seals unlawfully.

DOC is investigating the tourist attraction, which has admitted taking three healthy seals from the wild and putting them in enclosures, without a DOC permit. At least one of the seals is still in captivity.

Marineland is allowed to take injured animals.

"I view it as very serious," Napier City Council chief executive Neil Taylor said yesterday. "I'm disappointed and I've begun an investigation."

Marineland – one of Hawke's Bay's top tourist attractions since the mid-1960s – closed this year after the deaths of its two performing dolpins.

The council is considering whether to carry out an $8 million upgrade or to shut the marine zoo forever. Now, it could face a fine of up to $10,000 for breaching the Marine Animals Protection Act.

The Conservation Department was taking the matter seriously, spokesman Reuben Williams said. "We can confirm that Marineland New Zealand has admitted breaching the conditions of its permit to hold marine mammals," he said.

"The department has drafted a letter to the Napier City Council expressing our concerns over the situation with the seals."

Mr Taylor said he contacted DOC when he heard about the problem. "I'm prepared to say I believe there are inconsistencies in records that involve the council, Marineland and the department.

"I have instructed staff to help the department investigate the matter and I believe the staff are being helpful."

He could not give further details because he was also investigating the matter himself under the terms of the Employment Relations Act.

Save Animals From Exploitation campaign director Hans Kriek said Marineland had used the fact that it rescued injured animals as the reason for its existence.

"If that's not true, if they've taken wild animals illegally and put them in captivity, that's appalling," he said. "Somebody should be held accountable."

The seals would have to stay in captivity, he said. "You can't take an animal out of the wild, make it completely dependent on humans, and then put it back in the wild."

- © Fairfax NZ News