Arctocephalus forsteri

New Zealand Fur Seal at Narooma, NSW

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Identification history

Arctocephalus forsteri

11 Jun 2020

AndrewMcCutcheon

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User's notes

At least ten seals were resting on the rocks beside the inlet at Wagonga Head, Narooma. There appeared to be two species present, perhaps sheltering due to the rough seas that day, Australian Fur Seals and New Zealand Fur Seals. Here I have attempted to separate out the NZ Fur Seals, which have a narrower more pointed muzzle and steeply rising forehead, best shown by the distant individual to the left in the 3rd image. Is my ID correct?

7 comments

JackieMiles wrote:

13 Jun 2020

Blowed if I know Andrew. I've agonised over seal photos a few times now. The distinctions seem a bit subtle. Can you zoom in on the head of both species and add a close-up to the two sightings? It used to be possible to right click on a photo and download just that photo to one's computer and then zoom in on it, but I can't get that to work just now.

AndrewMcCutcheon wrote:

13 Jun 2020

Jackie, I have looked through all my seal images taken on that day and cannot find a perfect side on head image for either species. I was not aware at the time I was photographing these seals that two species may have been present, and side on head profiles were necessary as a diagnostic feature for identification. For the NZ Fur Seal the best image for the head was one of the seals in the third image taken from the other side of the channel, which I have cropped as you suggested, and added as the forth image here.

JackieMiles wrote:

14 Jun 2020

Yeah, I really know very little about seals. Might leave it and see if anyone else wants a go. You could also try using the Aust Museum website to make an enquiry using these photos and see if you can get an ID out of them (slowish process) then let me know and I can confirm these accordingly.

AndrewMcCutcheon wrote:

14 Jun 2020

I knew a couple of seal experts well over 20 years ago, but have long since lost contact. I will ask around the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, with which I am a member to find out if anyone can help.

JackieMiles wrote:

14 Jun 2020

Yep, if you can find an outside expert and email them a link to the sighting for comment, that's not a bad way to go. Who knows, they might be interested enough to offer their services as a moderator!

AndrewMcCutcheon wrote:

24 Jun 2020

Jackie, I have had confirmation from an expert at the Faculty of Science, Deakin University that these are definitely NZ Fur Seal males. He was not so sure that the other seals I have submitted as Australian Fur Seals are either juvenile AUFS or more NZFS. I am still awaiting another response on that one.

JackieMiles wrote:

24 Jun 2020

Lovely. always good to have some input from a real expert.

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