New Zealand Sea Lions

New Zealand Sea lions

Images taken South Island, New Zealand

The New Zealand sea lion are one of the rarest sea lion species and are only found in New Zealand. Their population is around 12,000 and listed as Nationally Vulnerable. The main breeding colony is in decline with threats coming from disease, fisheries interactions, pup mortality, food availability and human impacts.

They are also known as Hooker’s sea lions. The males reach a length of up to 3.5m weighing in at around 450kg. The females are smaller reaching 2m in length and up to 160kg in weight. The male is sexually mature when 5 years old but cant sire their first pup until they are strong enough to hold their own territory, at about 8 years old.