A seal galumphs into a bar. The bartender says ‘Grab the salmon!’
Unexpected Visitor: Seal Wanders into New Zealand Bar
A seal made a surprise appearance at a craft beer bar in Richmond, New Zealand, causing quite a stir among patrons. The baby fur seal, affectionately named Fern by the staff, wandered into the bar on a lazy Sunday evening, seeking shelter and perhaps a taste of the local brew.
Co-owner Bella Evans was taken aback when she realized the visitor was not a dog, as she initially thought, but a curious seal looking for adventure. Despite attempts to gently usher the seal out of the bar, it found refuge under the dishwasher, prompting a creative plan to entice it out with a tempting pizza topping.
Conservation rangers were called in to safely relocate the seal to Rabbit Island, a dog-free sanctuary where it could continue its exploratory journey. This incident is not uncommon in New Zealand, where growing seal and sea lion populations often lead to unexpected encounters with humans during the annual “silly season.”
While the seal’s visit may have been unexpected, it left a lasting impression on the bar staff, who jokingly gave it their “seal of approval.” As for the menu, salmon will remain a popular choice, just in case any more curious seals decide to drop by for a snack.
