Close encounters - well, close enough

A sea lion comes close to city life atop the dunes at Middle Beach, near Moana Rua Rd, in Dunedin, yesterday.

Its beach views were  interrupted by a curious human and a galloping dog that seemed just as surprised to see the sea lion, as the sea lion was to see it, when it reached the top of the dunes.

The Department of Conservation has previously urged dog owners to keep their pets under control at the beach, or anywhere they might encounter wildlife.

The dog did not belong to the person photographed.