04.12.2025 17:40
An incident that occurred in a bar in New Zealand has become the most talked-about news of the day on social media. A "little customer" that stumbled into a venue in Richmond turned out to be a lost baby seal. The adorable guest, who hid under the dishwasher, astonished both the bar staff and customers. The baby seal was lured out with salmon.
An incident at a bar in New Zealand turned an ordinary evening into an unforgettable one. A small guest that entered the Sprig + Fern The Meadows in Richmond was initially thought to be a dog; however, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a lost baby seal.
HIDING UNDER THE DISHWASHER
Amidst the astonished looks of customers, the cute animal made its way to the bar, searching for a place to hide and made an unusual choice.
Bella Evans, one of the bar's co-owners, said that at first, she thought the animal was a dog, but realized the situation was much more unusual when she got closer. As employees and customers suddenly panicked and looked at each other asking, "What do we do now?", the little seal chose the space under the dishwasher as the safest hiding spot.
FIRST RAN TO THE RESTROOM, THEN TO THE KITCHEN
One of the customers quickly grabbed a sweater and tried to guide the seal outside, but the little visitor ran to the restroom to escape from those chasing it, then returned to the kitchen and hid under the machines. The machine's plug was quickly pulled out to prevent electrical hazards.
COULDN'T RESIST THE SMELL OF SALMON
Meanwhile, Evans tried a creative method to solve the problem. She asked a customer to bring a doghouse from home, while she called out to her fiancé, "Catch the salmon!" and took a piece of salmon, which is a pizza ingredient at the pub. The plan worked; the cute fugitive came out from its hiding spot when it caught a whiff of the smell and made its way to the door.
TEAMS WERE ON THE CASE
Shortly after, conservation officers arrived at the bar. It turned out that the teams had been tracking the mischievous baby seal, which had been spotted at several different locations throughout the day. The New Zealand Department of Conservation confirmed that they had received "numerous reports" about the animal that day. The officers released the seal on Rabbit Island, a place considered safe and away from people.
Conservation Ministry spokesperson Helen Otley stated that young seals can follow river and stream lines for miles during this season, which is why they can be seen in unexpected places like homes, golf courses, roads, and even bars. Experts refer to this period as the "silly season."
THEY NAMED IT FERN
The bar staff quickly named the baby seal, which became a mascot, "Fern." Evans noted that the experience was unforgettable for them, saying, "It was the first mischievous customer we had to take out of the house, but our door is open if it comes back." It was also announced that the popular salmon on the pub's menu would not be removed.