Seal mauls elderly walker in NZ

AN ELDERLY man has been seriously hurt after he was attacked by a seal while out walking in New Zealand.

Wild instinct... New Zealand fur seals can be aggressive if approached.

AN ELDERLY man has been seriously hurt after he was attacked by a seal while out walking.

The unnamed 85-year-old was hospitalised with leg injuries after the animal reportedly got on to a walkway in New Plymouth, New Zealand, Stuff news site reported.

Eyewitness Kevin Harvey said that the walkway was covered in blood following the mauling and that armed police had provided a protective barrier while the man was treated.

Mr Harvey said the seal was on the walkway and had lunged at him too as he ran past, and that he had flung stones at it to scare it off.

“They usually come towards you a bit then back off, but he just kept on coming,” Mr Harvey said.

New Zealand fur seals can weigh up to 150kg. The New Zealand Department of Conservation advices people to always stay at least 10m away from seals at all times, warning that the animals can be aggressive.

Originally published as Seal mauls elderly walker in NZ