A family in Wellington, New Zealand, opened their front door recently expecting a normal day — but instead found a mysterious, sleeping guest curled up right beside their doormat. At first glance, all they could see was a small, furry body and a pair of flippers tucked tightly beneath it, fast asleep as if it owned the place.
The cozy resting spot may have looked peaceful, but this unexpected visitor had gone through quite an adventure to get there.
According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), the determined traveler had scaled a seawall, crossed a road, climbed a footpath, wandered up a driveway, and even conquered an extra set of stairs before finally collapsing for a much-needed nap on the porch.
It wasn’t until conservation officers arrived that the sleepy stranger was fully identified: it was a young New Zealand fur seal, known locally as a kekeno.
Although the scene was endearing, wildlife officers knew that a doorstep wasn’t the safest resting place. While seals often nap on land and may appear stranded even when they’re fine, this particular youngster needed to be relocated to avoid nearby dogs and traffic.
A DOC officer gently transported the drowsy pup back to the coast, settling him in a safe, quiet spot. He woke just enough to give a lazy waddle before drifting right back to sleep in his new seaside hideout.
Around this time of year, recently weaned pups often explore far from their colonies — a period locals affectionately call “silly season,” when curious youngsters can pop up almost anywhere. For this family, silly season delivered a charming, unforgettable surprise — and a reminder that in New Zealand, the wonders of wildlife are often just outside the front door.