SEALS AND SEA LIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1929, Page 1 (Supplement)

SEALS AND SEA LIONS

DAYS OF OLD IN TARANAKI

(By

C.M.H.)

During the winter months of this year two sea lions were seen on the beach on the Taranaki coast. One came on shore at Bahotu and was captured, but was afterwards liberated, A lad who camo into too close proximity was severely bitten on the hand. The other sea lion was discovered on the beach at Oakura and was reported to have been wounded, evidently by a shark or some other denizen of the deep. The two incidents created considerable interest at the time, for sea lions are not common sights to the present generation in Taranaki, In times gone by, however, it was a different matter.

Between the years 1810 and 1820 the sealing industry in New Zealand waters was at the height of its prosperity. The expeditions in those times fitted up and sailed from Sydney. The late Hon. R. McNab, fornierly Minister of Lands in New Zealand, states that in 1792 the first sealing gang was landed at Dusky Sound. The members remained for nearly a year and procured over 4500 skins of the fur seal.

From this initial trip the trade flourished, but after about 20 years of such reckless slaughter the seals were alarmingly diminished. It was then discovered* that both species were in abundance on the Campbell, Macquarie and Auckland Islands. It has been calculated that ten sealing vessels in the year 1924 searched the sealeries of the New Zealand coast and the southern islands and succeeded in obtaining 70,000 to 80,000 skins. Some 40,000 of these were sold in Sydney at about 15s per skin. The balance of the skins went to tlie English market. So assiduously was the industry. pursued that there was a fear of the seals becoming extinct, but the animals remaining abandoned these localities. The creatures still visit the West Coast Sounds and the rocks off Westport.

On his first voyage of discovery to New Zealand Captain Cook recorded that seals were seen on the coast of the South Island. On his second voyage the great navigator recruited his crew at

Dusky Bay and during a stay of several weeks many seals were killed for fresh meat. The fat or blubber was used for lamp oil, and tho skins were treated and used for repairs ,to the rigging of his ship. In tne early summer tho male sea lion-goes on shore and loves to bask in the sunshine. The females roam about in the bush seeking seclusion in which to give birth to their calves. The young are born in February and when they are a few days old the mother endeavours to get them into tho sea. These youngsters have, however, a strong ob-

jection to the water, and it often req’lL.s a good deal of pushing and beating and biting on the mother’s part to get her young one to make the first plunge. The step ome taken, the youngsters swim with great ease, and gambol about in a very playful manner. At about three mouths of age the young seals play about in schools, keeping near their mothers.

During tho daytime seals keep to the water during practically all the hours of daylight, but they like to take shelter at night anywhere amongst long •grass or in tho bush close to the shore. A mob will sleep in the same spot for many nights if left undisturbed, but if interfered with they quickly seek a fresh camping spot. A Maori friend of the writer, who is over 70 years of age, states that seals an sea lions were sometimes found in the sandhills on the Taranaki coast in the days of his parents. The creatures came ashore at certain seasons of the year to feed on rauriki (sow-thistle). Evidently the animals found this vegetation of medicinal value and they would wander for distances up to half a mile to feed oh the plant. The Maoris, ever watchful to secure any form of extra food, used to hunt these seals. They found them particularly agile, especially tho sea lions, and not easy to capture. When disturbed these male seals became very enraged, and being armed with formidable teeth they could and did attack with great ferocity. Woe betide any. native whose arm or leg Was seized by the creatures. The bone of the limb would be cracked like an eggshell, while the flesh would bo lacerated and fearfully torn.

But the Maori of ancient times was a resourceful individual, and the old friend already mentioned stated that a Taranaki chief evolved a method of capture which, though quite simple, was very ingenious. A couple of stalwarts would intercept the creature, which when disturbed would make for tho sea. One of the natives would be armed with a club and spear, and the other would have a large flax kit filled with dry sand. Coming to close quarters the sea lion would show fight and open its mouth to roar. As it did so it would receive handfuls of sand in the eyes and mouth. This, of course, blinded the aturc, and to protect its eyes it would raise its fore-flip-pers over its face. Then the club would bo - brought into rapid action and the cr-xturo stunned, after which it was an easy matter to dispatch it with a strong wooden spear.

Should a number of sea lions be captured some of them, while in a stunned condition, would be tied head and tail with stout flax ropes. The creatures then were taken to the nearest river and anchored until required for food. Sometimes young seals were captured when about three months old. It was easy to tame a youngster and it became a very playful and affectionate pet about the native village. The informant stated that the natives were not particularly fond of seal meat. It was an acquired taste, and only the older members of the race would eat it ■ with relish. There was generally, however, a wealth of fat on the creature’s carcase, and the wahines (wives) would save this in gourds as a preserving fat for future use. A locality that was specially favoured by the seals and sea lions -was the strip of beach country between the Huatoki and Waiwakaiho rivers, New Plymouth. Here the rauriki. grew profusely in places, and consequently attracted the creatures. The sugar loaf islands at Moturoa were also a favourite spot.