Sea lion and pup die after hit and run in Otago

Friday, 14 February 2020

Matariki after giving birth to another female pup at the back of a hay shed on Inch Clutha.

A sea lion and her pup have died from injuries inflicted by a vehicle in coastal Otago, prompting an appeal from the Department of Conservation (DOC).

The incident happened on Kaka Point Rd, near Balclutha, on Wednesday night.

DOC said 8-year-old Matariki may have been nursing her 1-month old pup on the road when they were struck by a vehicle.

The pair were found badly injured by another motorist who called DOC. The pup has since died and Matariki was euthanised by a vet on Thursday.

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The family who own the farm where Matariki gave birth were overjoyed she had chosen their hay shed as a creche.

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Matariki died after being hit by a vehicle on Wednesday night.

The New Zealand sea lion (rāpoka) is classified as nationally vulnerable, and number about 12,000.

About 98 per cent of breeding happens on Campbell and the Auckland Islands, but there are also small populations in the lower South Island and Stewart Island.

Kaka Point is home to six other known breeding sea lions and pups.

DOC Murihiku operations manager John McCarroll said Matariki was much loved by the local community and the two deaths were a tragic loss for New Zealand's sea lion population.

'Matariki was gifted her name by local whānau. She was a taonga of the sea lion population at Kaka Point.

'Over the years she had developed a habit of giving birth to pups in unique places such as under a crib or in a farmer's shed.'

John Burke of the NZ Sea Lion Trust, a volunteer group based in Dunedin, explains why the marine mammal is critically endangered. (Video first published in September 2019)

Te Rūnaka o Awarua kaiwhakahaere Dean Whaanga says rāpoka are a taonga species for Ngāi Tahu and Matariki would be greatly missed.

'Our whānau are saddened by our loss of Matariki and her pup. She had a special place in our hearts.'

McCarroll said DOC understood accidents could happen, but it was important people informed DOC if they did hit native wildlife.

'All New Zealand sea lions are named, tagged and well known within their community. This is a huge loss for Kaka Point residents,' McCarroll said.

Matariki has previously given birth to two other pups who have since returned to the area.

'Rāpoka are local personalities within the wider community and this tragic loss will be felt by us all.'

DOC wanted to talk to the driver to understand what happened and identify ways of protecting sea lions from such accidents in the future, he said.

'This is a timely reminder; we are sharing our coastal roads with wildlife and vehicles need to slow down.'

The driver of the vehicle is encouraged to come forward, and any witnesses are asked to contact the Murihiku DOC office by calling 03 211 2400.