Motorists warned to watch the tarseal for fur seals

Motorists on Kaikoura's coastal highway are being warned to watch out for fur seals, with a seal being killed each month.

Police are also being called in to move along a seal each week.

Barriers have been built to stop seals clambering up to the highway, but the seal population is growing.

New Zealand Transport Agency Canterbury operations manager Peter Connors said seals were a road hazard.

It was working with the Department of Conservation (DOC) on the problem, but had no plans to extend the Kaikoura seal barriers.

Nelson-Marlborough Conservation Board member Maurice Manawatu said the coastline's seal population had increased in recent years.

Seals sought refuge on the road when the sea was running high, he said.

However, they were a traffic hazard, and he was concerned motorists would be injured.

DOC Kaikoura biodiversity manager Phil Bradfield warned drivers to watch out for seals in spring, when seal pups were weaned, and during stormy weather. Any driver who hit a seal should call the police or contact DOC, and not approach the mammal.

Sergeant Barry Hansen, of the Kaikoura police, said drivers had reported hitting three or four seals in the past three months. Officers were being called in to help move live seals, mostly north of the town, about once a week.

Matt Chambers, of Seal Swim Kaikoura, said seal populations should be monitored to identify areas where they could clash with humans.

More mesh barriers were needed to keep seals off the highway, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News