Leopardseals.org logo

New Zealand Leopard Seal Catalogue

Identifying INDIVIDUAL leopard seals

Leopard seals can be individually identified – primarily by the spots on their pelage (fur).  However, some individuals also may have scars (see NZ001, “Owha”).

Identifying individuals allows researchers to track them as they move around New Zealand. To facilitate research and to increase public awareness, we have created an identification catalogue of the leopard seals we have sighted, known as the New Zealand Leopard Seal Catalogue (NZLSC).

Owha - NZ leopard seal
Click this image for a larger version
Novy - identified leopard seal in New Zealand
Click this image for a larger version

HAVE YOU SEEN A LEOPARD SEAL?

Click here to report your sighting so we can continue to track the behaviour and movements of leopard seals in New Zealand.