BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

Homer the seal goes home

During his stay at Tologa Bay, close to the town of Gisborne, the two tonne seal proved a bit of a menace.

Called Homer, he used anything handy to scratch himself, including parked cars, crushing a number of them.

Barriers were erected to guide Homer towards the water. Once he was back in the sea, a gate was closed to prevent him coming back on land.

The crowds who went to the wharf to see Homer will be disappointed at the disappearance of a major tourist attraction.

But people who own property on the wharf will be relieved that their belongings are safe from the threat of being squashed.