Public fixture appropriated by non-ratepayer

An adult male fur seal made good use of the facilities, sprawled out on a public bench near a car park at Aramoana late yesterday morning, while several amused members of the public looked on.

Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Jim Fyfe said the ‘‘dignified’’ seal was enjoying the view along the beach.

In late summer and early autumn, growing numbers of male fur seals were attracted to the Otago Harbour area because of good supplies of mackerel and barracouta, Mr Fyfe said.

Otago Daily Times artist Alistair Craig said he had often seen seals in the area, near the Muri St car park, but never before using the bench.

Doc staff yesterday also quietly moved on a large male fur seal which had been relaxing near to the bottom of the tunnel entrance to Tunnel Beach, impeding access to the area for several tourists, Mr Fyfe said.