Latest news with #JodyWeir
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Tracking to keep sea lions and seals safe
Seal and sea lion populations are making a comeback around New Zealand, with many returning to their historic habitats. It's also seal silly season (May to September), meaning young fur seal pups are venturing off on their own for the very first time. They can show up on roads, be chilling in paddocks or even be seen wandering around Bunnings. As the season begins and populations grow, so do our encounters. The Department of Conservation (Doc) and the New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi have launched a nationwide project to track seals appearing near roads and want the public's help. "We're asking people to report sightings of seals, fur seals or sea lions on or near roads," Doc's marine senior technical adviser Jody Weir says. "Your sightings - date, location, even a photo if it's safe - will help us map hotspots and understand the risks. It's a great example of how citizen science could make a real difference." The project aims to analyse the road-related risks for the marine mammals. Its findings will help with road planning and improvements and to find high-risk zones. "We're thrilled to see populations recovering, but that success comes with new challenges," Weir said. "We want to protect these taonga species while also keeping people safe. That means understanding where the key hot spots are and planning smarter." Kaikōura is a prime success story with key hot spots - where fur seals were getting onto State Highway 1 - found, resulting in infrastructure upgrades to help protect the animals and drivers. "These young fur seals are out exploring their wider world while their mums are busy at sea getting food to be able to nurse that rapidly growing pup and grow the developing foetus inside her," Weir said. "It's an important stage of development, but it also means they can end up in unusual - and sometimes risky - places. By reporting sightings, you're helping us look out for them during this vulnerable time." Top seal tips • Never touch, handle, or feed a seal, as they can be aggressive if they feel threatened. It is also a breach of the Marine Mammals Protection Act. • Maintain a distance of at least 20 metres from a seal if possible and avoid getting between it and the sea. • Give seals space if encountered on or near a beach. • Always keep dogs on a leash and away from seals. • Ensure small children are at a safe distance and under control when watching seals. • If you see a seal that's badly injured, being harassed or in danger, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Sightings reported to seeaseal@ before June 22 will help shape the initial national road risk model.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Fur seals could turn up in odd places as 'Silly Seal Season' starts
conservation environment 24 minutes ago It's that time of year again-when young kekeno or fur seals start turning up in all sorts of odd places, from footpaths and paddocks to busy roads. Department of Conservation senior technical advisor marine Jody Weir spoke to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Seal silly season: What you need to know as seal population bounces back
Seal at Bunnings Whangarei. Photo: DOC/Supplied Seal and sea lion populations are making a comeback around the country, with many returning to their historic home of New Zealand's mainlands. It's also seal silly season, meaning young pups are venturing off on their own for the very first time. They could show up on roads, be chilling in paddocks and even have a wander around Bunnings. But as seal silly season hits and the populations grow, so do our encounters. The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have now launched a nation-wide project to track the seals appearing near roads and are asking the public for help. "We're asking people to report sightings of seals, fur seals or sea lions on or near roads," marine senior technical advisor for the Department of Conservation Jody Weir said. "Your sightings-date, location, even a photo if it's safe- will help us map hotspots and understand the risks. It's a great example of how citizen science could make a real difference." Sightings reported to DOC before 22 June will help shape the initial national road risk model. Photo: DOC/Supplied The project aims to analyse the road-related risks for marine mammals like seals, and its findings will help with road planning and improvements, and help to find high-risk zones. "We're thrilled to see populations recovering, but that success comes with new challenges," Weir said. "We want to protect these taonga species while also keeping people safe. That means understanding where the key hot spots are and planning smarter." Kaikōura is a prime success story with key hot spots - where fur seals were getting onto SH1 - found, resulting in infrastructure upgrades to help protect the animals and drivers. The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have launched a nation-wide project to track the seals appearing near roads. Photo: DOC/Supplied "These young fur seals are out exploring their wider world while their mums are busy at sea getting food to be able to nurse that rapidly growing pup and grow the developing foetus inside her. "It's an important stage of development, but it also means they can end up in unusual-and sometimes risky-places. By reporting sightings, you're helping us look out for them during this vulnerable time," Weir said. Sightings reported to [seeaseal@ DOC] before 22 June will help shape the initial national road risk model. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Scoop
Tourists Called On To Help Count Kaikōura's Whales
Tourists are being encouraged to help with counting whales during their stay in Kaikōura next month. The Great Kaikōura Whale Count will be held throughout the month of June, with volunteers needed to help spot whales as they swim past the Kaikōura coastline. The Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute Inc (KORI) began the initiative in 2020, when tourism companies were not operating due to Covid restrictions. KORI director Dr Jody Weir said June is the busiest time of year for humpback whales passing through and numbers appeared to be growing. The project aims to get an idea of the number of whales migrating between feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica and breeding grounds in a more tropical climate. ''It is a quiet time for tourism, but it is the best time to see the whales,'' she said. ''The main goal is to connect the community around the whales in Kaikōura.'' KORI will be looking out for other species, amid concerns that sperm whale numbers are declining, Dr Weir said. The whale count was held for three years before taking a year off in 2023 due to a lack of funds. The Kaikōura District Council came to the rescue with funding to pay for interns to allow KORI to run several community projects, including last year's whale count. This year South Pacific Helicopters and MainPower, North Canterbury's electricity network, have come board to help cover the costs. Last year the whale count brought together 156 volunteers from 15 countries, including visitors from South and North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and around New Zealand at an otherwise quiet time of the year. Dr Weir said there are a number of ways volunteers can help out. Each day during June, volunteers will be needed at the monitoring station on the Kaikōura Peninsula to fill two hour shifts between 10am and 4pm, with training is provided. ''Ideally we will have at least two volunteers in addition to our lead spotters day, but there is no limit because more more eyes are better for spotting.'' Volunteers will also be needed to help with events during June and Dr Weir is planning to engage with local schools. Funding left over from Sea Week will help fund an event for World Oceans Day on Sunday, June 8. Ongoing support from the Kaikōura District Council has contributed to the whale count's success, Dr Weir said. In 2020, KORI received funding from the council and was able to combine the count with research it was doing for the Department of Conservation. A grant from the council's discretionary fund in 2022 allowed KORI to complete a feasibility study to develop a case for marine education. Funding the council's Creative Communities fund has allowed KORI to employ interns. Contact kaikourakori@ for more information. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Volunteers needed for whale count
Tourists are being encouraged to help with counting whales during their stay in Kaikōura next month. The Great Kaikōura Whale Count will be held throughout the month of June, with volunteers needed to help spot whales as they swim past the Kaikōura coastline. The Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute Inc (KORI) began the initiative in 2020 when tourism companies were not operating due to Covid-19 restrictions. KORI director Dr Jody Weir said June was the busiest time of year for humpback whales passing through and numbers appeared to be growing. The project aims to get an idea of the number of whales migrating between feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica and breeding grounds in a more tropical climate. ''It is a quiet time for tourism, but it is the best time to see the whales,'' she said. ''The main goal is to connect the community around the whales in Kaikōura.'' KORI will be looking out for other species, amid concerns that sperm whale numbers are declining, Dr Weir said. The whale count was held for three years before taking a year off in 2023 due to a lack of funds. The Kaikōura District Council came to the rescue with funding to pay for interns to allow KORI to run several community projects, including last year's whale count. This year South Pacific Helicopters and MainPower, North Canterbury's electricity network, will help cover the costs. In 2024, the whale count brought together 156 volunteers from 15 countries, including visitors from South and North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and around New Zealand at an otherwise quiet time of the year. Dr Weir said there are a number of ways volunteers can help out. Each day during June, volunteers will be needed at the monitoring station on the Kaikōura Peninsula to fill two-hour shifts between 10am and 4pm. Training is provided. ''Ideally, we will have at least two volunteers in addition to our lead spotters day - but there is no limit because more more eyes are better for spotting.'' Volunteers will also be needed to help with events during June and Dr Weir is planning to engage with local schools. Funding left over from Sea Week will help pay for an event for World Oceans Day on Sunday, June 8. Ongoing support from the Kaikōura District Council has contributed to the whale count's success, Dr Weir said. In 2020, KORI received funding from the council and was able to combine the count with research it was doing for the Department of Conservation. A grant from the council's discretionary fund in 2022 allowed KORI to complete a feasibility study to develop a case for marine education. Funding the council's Creative Communities fund has allowed KORI to employ interns. Contact kaikourakori@ for more information. - By David Hill Local Democracy Reporter • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
