Scientists in New Zealand say they have found a USB stick containing holiday photos inside a frozen slab of seal poo.

Key points: The seal poo containing the memory stick was collected in November 2017, at Invercargill's Oreti beach

The seal poo containing the memory stick was collected in November 2017, at Invercargill's Oreti beach The organisation which discovered the USB stick said its return would come at a price — more seal scat

The organisation which discovered the USB stick said its return would come at a price — more seal scat It also provided tips on recognising and collecting leopard seal poo

The scat, valuable for studying the health of leopard seals, had been stored in a freezer for a year before it was thawed out for analysis, researchers said.

"Concealed deep inside the scat was a USB stick," the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said on its website.

The stick was in good condition — "considering where it had come from" — and the researchers let it dry out for a few weeks.

It contained photos of sea lions at Porpoise Bay on New Zealand's South Island, and a video of a mother sea lion and her baby frolicking in shallow waters.

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"The only clue to who might have taken them is the nose of a blue kayak," NIWA said.

The sample of scat containing the memory stick was collected in November 2017 at Invercargill's Oreti beach.

But the return of the USB comes with a price, according to NIWA.

"The leopard seal researchers would like some more leopard seal scat please."

The organisation provided tips on how to identify leopard seal scat (thick puddles in varying colours) and how to collect it (gloves and an ice cream container).

It also recommended maintaining a safe distance of at least 20 metres away from the animals.

Volunteer Jodie Warren, who collected the memory-laden sample, expressed concern for the animal that ingested the USB.

"It is very worrying that these amazing Antarctic animals have plastic like this inside them," she said.

"The more we can find out about these creatures, the more we can ensure they are looked after."

ABC/Reuters