The Department of Conservation (DOC) is appealing for information after six fur seal pups were found decapitated in a Christchurch bay.
The 11-month-old seals were discovered floating in the tidal wash at Scenery Nook, on the south side of Banks Peninsula on Monday by a tourism operator.
It's believed the seals were killed elsewhere before being potentially dumped from a boat, where they were left to be found by visitors to the remote but popular scenic bay.
When DOC visited the area where the pups were found, there was no evidence of the seals' heads.
"Due to the disturbing, brutal and violent nature of this crime against defenseless seal pups, it has been reported to the police," DOC Mahaanui operations manager Andy Thompson said.
Three of the seals have since been buried by DOC rangers, while three others were taken to Massey University for a necropsy to discover the exact cause of death.
DOC is appealing for any sightings of boats in the area since late last week.
"There were a lot of boats on the water enjoying the warm weather last weekend. If you saw anything suspicious, please let us know by ringing 0800 HOT DOC (0800 362 468)," Mr Thompson said.
Fur seals are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act and it is a criminal offence to harass, disturb or harm them.
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