Seals (Pinnipedia) at Norfolk Island, south-west Pacific

摘要

Five seals were observed at Norfolk Island (29 degrees S, 168 degrees E) between 2000 and 2013. Two have been identified as Arctocephalus forsteri on the basis of photographs, a juvenile or weaned pup that weighed 9.5kg and a subadult male. The nearest known aggregation of these fur seals is at Three Kings Islands (34 degrees S, 172 degrees E), 700km to the south-east. Because New Zealand fur seals are increasing in abundance in New Zealand and Australia, sightings of vagrant fur seals at Norfolk Island are likely to increase.