In a charming and unexpected wildlife encounter, a baby fur seal became the most unusual patron at a craft beer bar in New Zealand. The incident occurred on a wet Sunday evening in Richmond, a town at the top of the South Island, highlighting the curious nature of young seals during their annual exploratory phase.
A Surprise Visitor in the Bar
Bella Evans, co-owner of the pet-friendly establishment, initially mistook the waddling creature for a dog. "Everyone was in shock," Evans recalled. "Oh my gosh. What do we do? What's going on?" The lost seal, driven by curiosity, had found its way into the human domain, evading initial attempts by a customer to usher it out with a sweater.
The agile pup then dashed into a bathroom before finding refuge under a dishwasher, which staff promptly unplugged for safety. Demonstrating quick thinking, Evans devised a plan to lure the animal out. "I just went to my fiance, I said, 'grab the salmon! Grab the salmon!'" she said, referring to a pizza topping special. Another customer fetched a dog crate, and the seal was safely contained.
The 'Silly Season' for Seals Explained
This was no isolated incident. Helen Otley, a spokesperson for New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DoC), confirmed that the bar's surprise guest was part of a known natural pattern. Scientists refer to an annual "silly season" for seals and sea lions, a period spanning several months where young animals explore far inland.
"They can turn up in unusual places, like this pub, but this is normal exploratory behaviour," Otley stated. She explained that curious juveniles often follow rivers and streams up to 15 kilometres (9 miles) inland, appearing on golf courses, roads, and even in houses. The rangers collecting this particular seal were already tracking it; it was their fourth call of the day searching a new-build subdivision.
Safe Release and a Welcome Return
The DoC praised the bar staff for doing "a great job keeping the seal safe" until rangers arrived. The young fur seal, affectionately nicknamed Fern by the pub team, was transported and released on nearby Rabbit Island. This location was chosen for its safety due to its dog-free status.
Otley linked such encounters to successful conservation programmes, which have led to growing seal and sea lion populations, increasing interactions with humans. For Evans, a new pub owner, it was a first. The baby fur seal was the first patron she's had to evict. Nevertheless, the animal left its mark. "There's been the running joke that we've got the seal of approval," Evans quipped, adding that Fern is welcome back anytime.
