There is concern a new sea lion pup could be harassed by dogs on a Dunedin beach, sparking a warning for dog owners to keep their pets away.
Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Jim Fyfe said he was called yesterday morning about sightings of a female sea lion and her pup in John Wilson Ocean Dr, St Kilda, near the bollards.
He initially thought it was Hariwa, a female sea lion who gave birth on the Chisholm Links Golf Club course in early January.
But it was another sea lion and her month-old pup.
The pup could be left in the dunes on St Kilda Beach while its mother went away to find food, and Mr Fyfe was concerned the pup could easily be found by roaming dogs.
He said dog owners should expect to see wildlife on the beach, keep their dog close and on a lead near protected wildlife.
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It is essential that these wonderful animals are given every opportunity to survive and thrive. The world had lost half its natural ecosystems and that the average population size of wild animals had fallen by 68% since 1970. In contrast, farmed animals, mainly cows and pigs, now account for 60% of all mammals by weight, with humans making up 36% and wild animals just 4%.
I live in Otago and are absolutely shocked how some residents and visitors treat our wildlife. In blueskinbay and Warrington, the signs are late going up ( Thank you waikouaiti community board) and placed only on the beach side , for nesting birds, while 100 m away alongside the bay there are no signs , so people let their dogs and horses run wild all through the reserve and nesting areas both harassing sea lions and terrorising pups destroying rare nesting birds. . Why dont we prohibit dogs and some of there owners and horses from being allowed on the beaches during these important times of the year. We have at last banned vehicles however they still go cruising at night. Last year a baby sea lion was run over by a 4 wheel drive at Warrington beach.