23 SEALS CLUBBED TO DEATH IN NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND

Wellington, Dec. 6 (ANTARA/Xinhua-OANA) - Twenty-three seals, including eight newborns, have been clubbed to death at the Ohau Point seal colony near New Zealand South Island's popular tourist spot of Kaikoura.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) said on Monday that it appears the seals were killed over separate days, at least a week ago.

The department said the attack at the colony 22 km north of Kaikoura appears to have been carried out by one or more strong people, using club-like weapons such as bats.

Some of the pups killed were just a few days old. The dead seals also included 13 females and two bulls. Other live seals have been injured.

The department is calling for public help to identify the person or people responsible.

New Zealand fur seals are protected and it is a criminal offence to harm or kill them.