A seal has been returned to the sea after a two-hour pursuit by emergency services across a busy Auckland highway and through a paddock.
The Fire Service says a motorist called after seeing the seal crossing Dairy Flat Highway 7 kilometres from the sea, just after 6pm on Monday.
The Fire Service, Police and the Department of Conservation managed to capture the mammal, a New Zealand fur seal, using what they describe as "good ole kiwi ingenuity".
At one stage it was thought the mammal was a sea lion but DoC confirmed it was a New Zealand fur seal.
DoC says it is likely to be the same seal reported on a lifestyle block in the area on Saturday night.
