When a family in Wellington, New Zealand, looked out their front door the other day, they weren’t expecting company.
But right there on the porch, nestled beside the doormat, was an unexpected guest: a young fur seal, sound asleep.
The peaceful snooze spot might have looked effortless, but getting there had been quite the journey.
According to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC), the determined little traveler had scaled a seawall, crossed a road, climbed a footpath, wandered up a driveway, and even tackled another set of stairs — all before collapsing for a nap on the family’s porch.
While the sight was adorable, conservation officers knew a doorstep wasn’t the safest place for a seal to rest. Seals can sometimes appear stranded or in need of help when they’re simply resting, but in this case, relocation was necessary.
So, a DOC officer carefully moved the drowsy youngster back to the coast, settling him in a safe spot far from dogs and traffic. The groggy seal woke up just enough to waddle along before dozing off again in his new seaside hideaway.
The animal, known locally as a kekeno, is a New Zealand fur seal — a species commonly found along the country’s shores.
Around this time of year, recently weaned pups often wander away from their colonies to explore. Locals affectionately call this period “silly season,” when curious youngsters sometimes turn up in the most surprising places.
For this family, silly season brought a once-in-a-lifetime doorstep surprise — and a reminder that in New Zealand, wildlife neighbors are never too far away.
