Sea lions moving further afield to have pups, Doc says

The first New Zealand sea lion pup to be discovered on the Otago Coast this breeding season,...
The first New Zealand sea lion pup to be discovered on the Otago Coast this breeding season, hidden away on a northern Dunedin beach. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Otago's colony of endangered New Zealand sea lions appears to be moving further afield to give birth, with the discovery of a sea lion and her pup on one of Dunedin's northern beaches.

New Zealand Sea Lion Trust chairman Shaun McConkey, of Dunedin, said to his knowledge it was the first pup to be born in the area, as they mostly gave birth on the Otago Peninsula.

"They do seem to be spreading out a little bit more."

Sea lions searched out remote spots so they had peace and quiet to have their pups away from male sea lions.

"It's very typical of them to disappear, to go off to isolated places where they can be well hidden."

The pup was the first to be discovered along Otago's coastline this breeding season, which runs from mid-December to mid-January, and the trust was expecting four or five more to be born.

As the pups got older and started moving about, more would be discovered, he said.

Mr McConkey had visited the pair, which had now been joined by a male sea lion not thought to be the father.

He had identified the mother as Leone, who was the second pup to be born in Otago around New Year's Eve 15 years ago.

"The pup is a female and is Leone's eighth pup, her fourth female, but it is three years since she had her last."

A local resident, who discovered the sea lion and her pup last Tuesday, had been keeping a close eye on the pair.

"It was such a surprise. We've named them Needle and Pine. It's so fabulous."

She notified the Sea Lion Trust of their arrival and planned to become a member, she said.

The trust and Department of Conservation would tag the pups in March so they could monitor their progress.

The Otago Daily Times has been asked not to reveal the location of the sea lion and pup so they are left in peace.

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