This fur seal breeds on New Zealand's subantarctic islands, including the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island, but it is a very rare visitor to the mainland. A seal with an orange chest. It has a distinctive orange-yellow chest and face, a feature that sets it apart from the darker New Zealand fur seal. The species was heavily hunted in the 19th century for its thick, warm fur, but it has since recovered in the remote southern islands where humans rarely venture. A seal that survived the hunters. The subantarctic fur seal's colouration is striking. The chest and face are a warm, almost golden orange, contrasting with the dark brown or grey of the rest of the body. This colour fades with age, with older males becoming darker. The species is smaller than the Australian fur seal but larger than the New Zealand species, occupying a middle ground in size. Its breeding colonies are centred on Gough Island in the South Atlantic and the Prince Edward Islands in the Indian Ocean, with the New Zealand subantarctic islands hosting a smaller, distinct population. Why does it sometimes visit the mainland? The reasons are unclear. It may be young males exploring beyond their natal islands. It may be animals displaced by storms or ocean currents. It may be a sign that the population is growing and individuals are seeking new territory. Whatever the cause, each mainland sighting is notable. The orange chest is unmistakable. The seal stands out among the darker locals. It stays for a while, resting on the beach, then returns to the southern ocean. The subantarctic fur seal is a visitor from the edge of the world. The beach is cold. The seal rests on the sand, orange chest bright against the grey. It should be on the Auckland Islands. It is here instead. No one knows why. It stays for a while, then slips back into the sea. It does not know it is a rare visitor. It just wanted to rest.