Napier residents have been left stunned by the rare sight of a Weddell seal sunning itself on one of the city's beaches.
The chunky mammals usually live in Antarctica and are a popular site near New Zealand's Scott Base, but they don't normally travel far away from their breeding colonies.
According to the Department of Conservation (DoC), this visitor is only the seventh ever recorded to visit New Zealand's shores.
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And Napier's residents will be pretty excited to know it's the second one to choose the city as its temporary holiday spot.
"The first visit we received was back in 2007 - so it is truly a rare sighting indeed," ranger Rod Hansen said in a statement on Friday.
DoC confirmed there are no plans to relocate the seal, as it's believed to be a healthy juvenile and will likely find its way home in its own time.
"Although it can be tempting to help, human interaction is detrimental to their development," acting Hawke's Bay operations manager Moana Smith-Dunlop said.
To help keep the seal safe, Ms Smith-Dunlop said visitors should stay at least 20 metres away and remain calm and quiet, while dog owners are urged to keep their pets under control and away from the seal.
In a statement DoC warned that Weddell seals are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, which prohibits harming or disturbing the mammals
Anyone who breaks that law is liable for a fine up to $250,000 or up to two years in jail.
Its predatory Antarctic acquaintance, the leopard seal, is more commonly seen in and around New Zealand.
Despite also being protected, one was found shot dead in Northland earlier this week.
An investigation has been launched into the leopard seal's death, which was slammed as an outrageous act of cruelty.
Newshub.
