Arctocephalus forsteri

Australian fur seal
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Pinnipedia
Family:	Otariidae
Subfamily:	Arctocephalinae
Genus:	Arctocephalus
Species:	A. forsteri
Binomial name
Arctocephalus forsteri Lesson, 1828
Distribution of Australian fur seal

The Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri), or New Zealand fur seal or southern fur seal, is a species of fur seal found around the south coast of Australia, the coast of the South Island of New Zealand, and some of the small islands to the south and east of there. Male-only colonies are also located on the Cook Strait coast of the North Island near Wellington and vagrants are found as far north as New Caledonia. The English common name New Zealand fur seal is used by English speakers in New Zealand (kekeno is used in the Māori language), and southern fur seal by English speakers in Australia. Although the two populations show some genetic differences, their morphologies are very similar, and thus they remain classed as a single species.

These seals were widely hunted from shortly after the European discovery of New Zealand until the late 19th century. The population of the New Zealand seal fell to levels under 10% of the original numbers. In New Zealand the seal is now protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1978).

Although the seals look docile, they can move surprisingly quickly and it is advisable never to approach a female with young or get between a seal and the water, cutting off its escape route to the sea. Their teeth are very sharp and many New Zealanders have been bitten.

Gallery

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  Australian fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri on South Island, New Zealand

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  Australasian fur seal coming ashore below Taiaroa Head, near Dunedin

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  Australian fur seal cubs at Palliser Bay

References

1. ^ Goldsworthy, S. & Gales, N. (IUCN SSC Pinniped Specialist Group) (2008). Arctocephalus forsteri. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 14 January 2009.

Sources

• Randall R. Reeves, Brent S. Stewart, Phillip J. Clapham and James A. Powell (2002). National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN 0375411410. 

External links

• Cook Strait seal colonies