Police chasing solid lead in killing

a further 13 seals were found at two sites in the Half Moon Bay area.

Autopsies revealed that eight of the seals died from gunshot wounds, while the cause of death for the other 11 could not be determined. Investigators were treating all the deaths as suspicious.

It is believed at least two firearms of different calibres were used to shoot the seals, and it’s thought more than one person may have shot them.

The Department of Conservation’s principal compliance officer, Jeff Hall, said they were working with police to investigate a new line of inquiry arising from information they had recently received.

Hall said the new information was a solid lead now being pursued – but DOC still needed more help from the public.

‘‘We are grateful for the information we’ve received and while that’s encour