Doc coastal Otago biodiversity ranger Jim Fyfe said despite increasing numbers of sea lions (pakake) along Dunedin’s coast, for a breeding population to be considered a colony there must be at least 35 pups born for five consecutive years — and the city was not there, yet.
However, Doc knew of 38 breeding-age female sea lions in the Dunedin area this year and staff were hopeful of an increase on last year’s record count of 31 pups (of which 29 survived).
As the numbers continued to grow, Mr Fyfe said he hoped the local sea lion population would this year reach the "significant milestone".
"We are really hoping to reach the magic number of 35 [pups] this season to start the clock for the Dunedin population to be recognised as a colony."
As expected, pregnant female sea lions were now appearing in unexpected places around the city as they came ashore to get out of the way of amorous males seeking their attention.
These sea lion mothers would start giving birth from early next month.
People in coastal areas should be prepared to come across sea lions which would pop up in public places such as roads and parks "and it’s important we share this space with them".
"If you see a sea lion, please give it plenty of space," Mr Fyfe said.
"These charismatic animals are naturally curious and are not afraid of people; if one approaches, you are best to make yourself as boring as possible, back away slowly, and put something like a backpack or jacket between you and the sea lion."
Loud noises or sudden movements could "provoke the animal to come closer".
However, the picture was not as bright for the species as a whole, he said.
New Zealand sea lions were the rarest species of sea lion in the world and classified as threatened.
About 98% of the population lived in the subantarctic islands and their numbers were in decline.
Doc worked closely with the Dunedin City Council and New Zealand Sea Lion Trust as well as Ngāi Tahu and Ōtākou runaka to help the species grow on the mainland, he said.
Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou chair Nadia Wesley-Smith said sea lions were a taoka species for Ōtākou.
"Their annual return to pup on our coastal shores reminds us of the enduring relationship between people and the sea.
"We hold ourselves accountable to the responsibilities of kaitiakitaka, of managing the interactions between us for ongoing care of the species," she said.
