The Department of Conservation has confirmed 41 fur seals were found dead at Te Oka Bay near Christchurch

A couple were walking in the area last evening when they made the discovery
and alerted the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Christchurch Operations Manager Andy Thompson says one was an adult seal and
the rest were pups at a weaning age.

He says they think they had been dead for about two to three weeks judging by
the state of the bodies.

Locals have told DOC there were stormy and heavy seas about the time the
seals died.

Andy Thompson says they are keeping an open mind about the cause of death,
but are leaning towards natural causes.