Ruby the sea lion takes a nap in bushes next to Kettle
Park, in St Kilda, Dunedin. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
A fence and a little help from nearby residents have
helped the Department of Conservation protect a sea lion who
has taken up residence in bushes beside Kettle Park in Dunedin.
Two months after the 18-month-old sea lion, from the Auckland
Islands, took up residence on the edge of the park in St
Kilda, Doc is pleased with the behaviour of beach and park
users. .
Doc coastal ranger Jim Fyfe said the fence had reduced
dog-related problems by 95% and helped keep the sea lion from
straying on to the field.
People occasionally let their dogs get too close, but the sea
lion was big enough to hold her own against a dog, as long as
it was not aggressive, he said.
The sea lion had probably chosen the spot for the cover the
coastal vegetation offered, as well as the beach access to
her feeding grounds.
It was hoped she might join the sea lions based around
Sandfly Bay, he said.
The sea lion was tagged in the islands in the summer of 2006
and last October was seen in Oamaru, where she acquired the
name of Ruby.
Two months ago, she turned up near Kettle Park, where she was
spotted by the staff of the Mahi Ora programme, who work next
to the park.
Manager Lisa Phillips said staff had been keeping a watch on
the sea lion and distributing pamphlets on what was
appropriate behaviour around her.
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