Police and the Department of Conservation are investigating the apparent shooting deaths of three 18-month-old male sea lions around the Waitaki River mouth last month.
A police spokesman yesterday confirmed there was "no update at this stage" into the deaths.
"I can see inquiries are ongoing," he said.
A Doc spokeswoman said much the same.
"At this stage I don’t have any updates I can share on the investigation for you. It’s still ongoing."
Neither organisation was able to say whether last month’s call for information into the shooting deaths of the endangered native animals — described as "completely horrifying" and "a senseless slaughter" — had turned up any leads.
All three animals suffered wounds consistent with being shot by a firearm, authorities said at the time.
New Zealand Sea Lion Trust co-chairman Shaun McConkey said yesterday the trust remained hopeful a conviction would be forthcoming.
"If so, we hope a strong message is sent by the authorities to say this behaviour is not acceptable and the perpetrator [or perpetrators] are given a hefty punishment."
The trust, with the help of an anonymous donor, offered a reward of $50,000 for information leading to a conviction after two sea lions were found shot dead in the Catlins nearly a year ago and a third sea lion was believed to have been stabbed and left to die at Waipati Beach in November last year. — Allied Media
