Sea Shepherd offers reward for Leopard seal killer

A rare visitor to Northland’s west coast, a Leopard seal was shot in the face and killed sometime late on Friday or early Saturday morning.

Sea Shepherd is offering $5000 for information leading to the prosecution of the killer or killers.

“The killing has upset a lot of people. Our shores should be a place of refuge for such beautiful marine creatures and we are so lucky they visit us. We hope the reward will motivate someone to do the right thing and get this disturbed wildlife killer locked up” says Sea Shepherd NZ Managing Director Michael Lawry.

The protected Leopard seal was killed as it lay on a Dargaville beach, near Glinks Gully in Northland. The senseless slaying has outraged locals and conservationists throughout New Zealand.

Leopard seals are protected under the Wildlife Act and the Marine Mammals Act. The killer or killers could face up to two years' imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000.

The seals live in Antarctica but often visit our shores, particularly the east coast.

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