THERE has been a very exclusive little bachelor party being held in Newcastle under the cover of darkness over the past few weeks.
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The party animals have been pulling all-nighters engorging themselves before taking over some of the city’s prime locations to sleep it off all day.
And their stamina shows no signs of abating – in fact, experts say the festivities will continue for some time yet.
The mini-colony of male New Zealand fur seals have taken squatters rights on the Nobbys breakwall and around the Cowrie Hole and Newcastle Baths, feasting on fish and enjoying themselves.
ORRCA president Ronny Ling said the seal “bachelor party’’ had been created when some immature seals had following a couple of old bulls to learn.
“Obviously the older bulls are very successful, and the young males want to see what they are up and how they can improve,’’ Mr Ling said.
“They are nocturnal so you will see them lounging about during the day.’’
Although one of the smaller seals appeared to be injured, the circular wound on its belly was probably from a cookie cutter shark, which attack their prey by hanging on with the teeth and spinning to grip its morsel.
Mr Ling said the large amount of oily fish around Newcastle this time year – including tailor and salmon – meant the small group of seals did not need to move on.
“Two hundred years ago there would have been seals everywhere around here,’’ he said.
“It’s just a little bachelor party for a few now, but it would have been a big show back then.’’