Shot sea lion a blow to recovering population

Date:  25 September 2024

The loss of the female sea lion, which was born 60 km up the Clutha River Mata-au this year, is a huge setback for the recovering population of this threatened species that only returned to the mainland in recent years.

DOC Murihiku Operations Manager John McCarroll said shooting a protected sea lion is a disgusting act and completely unacceptable, and DOC wants to find out who has done this.

“Staff received reports of a distressed sea lion in the Catlins Estuary on Monday morning. When a ranger went out to investigate, they found the young female had died.

“The sea lion had serious injuries to its hindquarters which look to have been caused by a firearm, and steel shot believed to be from a shotgun cartridge was recovered from the animal.

DOC staff are appalled someone has seemingly shot the sea lion and left it to die a slow, painful death, John McCarroll says.

“Our best guess is the sea lion has been bearing these painful injuries for over a week, which would have affected its ability to swim and hunt.

“We don’t know where, when or why the sea lion was shot. They are mobile animals and this juvenile had been seen around wider Catlins Estuary area and up the Clutha River Mata-au earlier this year.

“Anyone with any information is asked to please contact DOC on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).”

The deceased sea lion is being sent to Massey University for a necropsy to confirm the cause of death.

John McCarroll says this loss will compromise future population growth in the region.

“There are very few female sea lions in the region so each one is extremely important.

“We’re privileged to see the species return and as the population increases, people will need to get better at sharing our coasts with sea lions. This includes driving carefully in coastal areas and keeping dogs on leads when sea lions may be present.

“If a sea lion approaches you are best to try and make yourself appear boring, back away slowly, and put something like a backpack between yourself and the sea lion.”

NZ Sea Lion Trust Co-chair Shaun McConkey says the Trust is extremely disappointed there are people who would commit such an act, especially towards an endemic species that has only recently returned to the mainland after a long absence.

“Our sea lions are charismatic and curious animals that will sometimes approach people making them particularly vulnerable to anyone that might intend them harm.

“It is especially frustrating that it was a female that began life in such a unique way, 60 km up the Clutha River.

This is another blow to a small, establishing population that has already experienced low pup survival over the last couple of years."

It is illegal to injure or kill protected native wildlife like sea lions and anyone who does so can face punishments of up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

The sea lion’s mother Jade was born under a crib (bach) at Kākā Point in 2016. She was named after the late son of the bach owners.

Pakake have a threat status of “Nationally Vulnerable” and number about 12,000. About 96% of the population lives down in the Subantarctic Islands and is in decline. On the Mainland, there are small but growing populations in Rakiura/Stewart Island, Murihiku/Southland, and Otago.

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