SEA ELEPHANT NEAR
CHRISTCHURCH
Dominion Special Service.
CHRISTCHURCH, November 15. What has been taken to be a sea non in McCormick’s Bay, Christchurch, has been identified as a sea elephant, 'by the director of the Canterbury Museum, Dr. K. A. Falla. The animal, which was discovered in the enclosed area of the bay, is a member of a species at one time killed iu large numbers for its oil. -In 1918, however, the sea elephant was made a protected animal when it was found that the herds were becoming extinct, but in the last few years several have been seen iu New Zealand waters, and it. is now possible that the herds fire regaining their former strengths, Dr. Falla said. They live and breed in the colder Antarctic seas, round the McQuarrie Islands, for instance, and during the winter wanderings of the young some come within the range of the New Zealand coast, thus accounting for their appearances. This sea elephant, which is young, probably being between two and four years old. has lost the sight of one eye, at least temporarily, because of the stones thrown at: it, but otherwise it is in good health, aud is fairly tame. Sufficient food i« available for it in the bay, and onec it satisfies its curiosity, it will probably make its way to the sea, Dr. Falls said.
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Bibliographic details
Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 45, 17 November 1941, Page 8
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227SEA ELEPHANT NEAR Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 45, 17 November 1941, Page 8
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