KAIKOURA, New Zealand, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- New Zealand wildlife officials say they're looking for the person responsible for the deaths of 23 seals, mostly mothers and pups with their skulls smashed.
A ranger with the Department of Conservation found the dead seals last week at Ohau Point, a popular tourist spot near the town of Kaikoura, The Dominion Post reported.
Department area manager Dave Hayes believed the seals, some of which were days old, had been killed over several days by a person, or persons, "of some strength".
"This is a callous and cowardly attack on seals, especially newborn pups, unable to defend themselves against someone striking them with a bat or similar club-like object," he told the New Zealand Herald.
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said she was "beyond appalled" at the deaths.
"To go around and club 23 seals to death over a number of days is very deliberate and you have to question the state of mind of someone who can carry out such a cruel and abhorrent attack," she said.
Seals are protected by law, and the person or persons responsible could face six months in jail or a fine of up to $250,000, with further fines of $10,000 for each animal harmed, the Herald said. UPI
