New Zealand mammal found preying on sharks in 'incredible world first'

In New Zealand waters an unlikely animal has been caught preying on New Zealand in a "world-first" discovery.

Leopard seals, an apex predator like sharks, are known to hunt penguins and other seals but sharks were not previously thought to be on the menu.

That is, until a study led by Krista van der Linde of leopardseals.org. found evidence of shark remains in the droppings of the seals.

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Some of the seals also bore scars; evidence of past fights with sharks.

Dr Linde told stuff.co.nz the find was "next level incredible" and puts seals in a small group of marine animals.

"We were blown away to find sharks were on the menu, but then we also found that elephant fish and ghost sharks were being hunted by the leopard seals," Dr van der Linde said.

"To know there is another marine mammal also munching on sharks, well, that has implications for the whole food web and our understanding of how it all is interlinked."

The high level of shark remains found in the poo meant sharks may be an important part of the leopard seals' diet, Dr van der Linde added.

The Department of Conservation said leopard seals are the only seals known to regularly hunt and kill warm-blooded prey.

It comes as great white shark populations boom in New Zealand.

Last month Marine Biologist Riley Elliott told 9News.com.au the Bowentown area on the North Island has become a "major hotspot for unknown reasons" with a spate of sightings recorded.