Espie Ayson had opened her front door to go to work and came face to face with the 6-year-old sea lion (pakake) and screamed so loud, her entire family thought she was having a heart attack.
After Mrs Ayson backed away and made a hasty exit out the back door, her family stood around and watched Tui sleep — fascinated by the pup they could see moving around inside her belly.
Tui moved off the doorstep a day later and went to a quieter, sheltered area, where she had her pup on Christmas Day.
The pup’s gender is not yet known but may be revealed as part of the tagging process, set to be conducted in the coming months.
Department of Conservation (Doc) biodiversity ranger Moss Thompson said it was the beginning of what he hoped would be another successful breeding season for the nationally endangered species.
He said Tui was directly descended from a female named Mum, who gave birth to the first pup born on mainland New Zealand in 1993, following the species’ 150-year absence.
This birth continued Mum’s legacy, and it was hoped the growing population around Otago would help the species recover and act as insurance for the declining population in the sub-Antarctic islands.
To achieve breeding colony status, at least 35 pups needed to be born every year for five years, he said.
The record number of new pups in Dunedin was hit last year, when 31 were born.
"There are approximately 49 breeding-age females in our population this year and we are expecting around 35 pups.
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker was delighted with the new arrival and believed the city should celebrate it, similar to the way the city rings church bells to celebrate the arrival of the first albatross at the Taiaroa Head breeding colony each season.
"It is very exciting.
"I love that idea. I wonder if it has to be church bells."
Given that Dunedin was the wildlife capital of New Zealand, she said the council could consider doing something to celebrate the arrival of the first sea lion pup each season.
Breeding in Otago occurs from late December through to mid-January, and it usually happens in the same sites every year.
They do not give birth on the beach around Otago.
Instead, they travel inland to densely vegetated areas, parks, golf courses and even people’s backyards.
Mr Thompson said from now on, rangers were expecting to encounter more mother-and-pup pairs.
"In some areas, there may be changes to access tracks on certain beaches and signs requesting no dogs, or that they are kept on leads.
"These changes will be temporary while we have mums and pups using these areas.
"Please follow this signage when you’re out naturing in the area and be prepared to use another access route or walk your dog in the other direction.
"During this time, pakake will be crossing the roads and using parks in coastal areas, so please drive carefully and check your surroundings before letting your dog off the leash."
Pakake are one of the world’s rarest sea lion species and are found only in New Zealand.
They face threats from human activity (including fishing), diseases and pup mortality.
If you saw a pup in an area which was not signposted or marked, please let Doc know, he said.
