A stray seal is under police protection on Chapel Street in Tauranga this morning.

A number of callers to the SunLive newsroom have reported seeing the mammal on the footpath just before the bridge heading out of town.

The seal is on Chapel Street this morning. Photo: Cameron Avery.

The Department of Conservation have been informed and a police officer is keeping watch until the relevant authorities arrive.

One caller had suggested that the seal was in fact dead, but police have confirmed that this is not the case.