New Zealand sea lions/pakake are often referred to as rāpoka, but according to Ngāi Tahu, rāpoka are leopard seals. Leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) are a part of the Phocidae whānau, are indigenous to Aotearoa and are protected. They are dark-blue or black on their backs and grey-cream on their underside, and have black spots. They have long slim bodies, comparatively large fore-flippers, large heads, massive jaws, trident-shaped molars and canine teeth, and a gape that rivals a snakes. Unlike their cuzzies pakake and New Zealand fur seals/kekeno, leopard seal females grow larger than the males: 600 kg and 270 kg, respectively. They also do not possess any external ear flaps, instead have an internal ear canal with only a small external opening (a little hole visible either side of the head). They also don’t live in groups and prefer a solitary lifestyle, coming together only to mate.
They have been hanging around Aotearoa waters since the 1860’s, and photographic evidence dates to the early 1900’s. Aotearoa’s most recognisable leopard seal is ‘Owha’, who first showed up in Ōtepoti in 2012. Since then, she has delighted the public by appearing in Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information about these precious species, check out Leopard Seals NZ.
Photo: Sian Mair, taken from 15 metres away and zoomed in on.