Overview
- The young seal entered the Sprig + Fern The Meadows pub on New Zealand’s South Island, initially being mistaken for a dog by co‑owner Bella Evans.
- The animal ducked into the restroom and then hid under a dishwasher, which staff unplugged to prevent injury.
- A guest’s dog crate and pieces of fresh salmon were used to coax the pup into safe containment.
- Department of Conservation rangers collected the pup, later named Fern, and released it on nearby Rabbit Island.
- Video of the encounter has drawn hundreds of thousands of views online, and the pub later noted a separate visit from a bearded dragon.