On a wet, lazy Sunday evening a baby fur seal waddled into a craft beer bar in Richmond, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Accustomed to seeing animals in the pet-friendly bar, co-owner Bella Evans initially assumed the visitor was a dog before she took a closer look.

“Everyone was in shock,” Evans said. “Oh my gosh. What do we do? What’s going on?”

The creature was apparently lost and curious. Scientists refer to an annual “silly season” for seals and sea lions , a period of months during which they regularly appear in strange places – houses, golf courses or busy roads.

A customer grabbed a sweater and tried to usher the seal out of the back door. Evading its pursuers, the creature dashed into a bathroom and then hid under the dishwasher, which was swiftly unplugged. Livin

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