Females form into harems of up to 25 and are attended by a single dominant bull. Yet the coast that the sea lion has returned to only has fragmented and unevenly distributed potential habitats due to coastal urbanisation and development. They are the only species of the genus Phocarctos. Non-breeding animals are also known from New South Wales, Queensland and New Caledonia. At sea New Zealand sea lion are active divers that forage on both benthic (deep sea layer) and pelagic (upper sea layer) prey. It was named 'Hooker's sea lion after Sir Joseph Hooker, a botanist with a British Antarctic expedition which arrived in the Aucklands in 1844. Marine Protected Areas research programme, Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox. Many killed are female, likely to have a nursing pup waiting back onshore, and nearly always pregnant. However, it also means we will be increasingly sharing our beaches with sea lions, and we must take care not to disturb resting individuals and pups. The females then spend the next year alternating between foraging trips to sea and periods on land suckling their pups. This was the first sea lion born on the mainland in over 100 years. Their abundance and haul-out behavior have a direct effect on their on land breeding activity. The population at these islands is allocated in three different breeding colonies: Campbell Island was also targeted historically by sealers and is still the biggest breeding area after the Auckland Islands. Great white sharks are the only known predator of New Zealand sea lions. You will also find many Seals, as well as The New Zealand Sea Lion (formerly known as the Hooker's Sea Lion), one of the rarest seal species in the world, the occasional Sea Elephant and the Stewart Island Shags in their natural habitat. Learn how to identify the New Zealand sea lion, behave safely around them and report your sighting. The New Zealand sea lion (NZ sea lion), Phocarctos hookeri, is New Zealand’s only endemic pinniped, and one of the worlds rarest otariids. New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world and are only found in New Zealand. Emerging breeding locations at Stewart Island/Rakiura, Otago and Southland regionsThreats: Diseases, fisheries interactions, pup mortality, food availability, human impacts, New Zealand sea lion pup on Mount Lyall, Campbell Island Image: Andrew Maloney ©, New Zealand sea lion resting Image: Sabine Bernert ©, New Zealand sea lions in the Catlins Image: Sabine Bernert ©, New Zealand sea lions Image: Sabine Bernert ©, New Zealand sea lion Image: Sabine Bernert ©, Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/new-zealand-sea-lion/. Nowadays, almost all new pups in Otago peninsula are related to 'Mum'. New Zealand sea lions are not migratory, although males disperse widely over their range during the non-breeding season. Hooker's sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is endemic to New Zealand and can be found mainly on the Subantarctic Islands. You will only find the New Zealand Sea Lion around this area. Yet the coast that the sea lion has returned to only has fragmented and unevenly distributed potential habitats due to coastal urbanisation and development. Females give birth to a single pup every 1–2 years. New Zealand sea lion / rāpoka / whakahao. At the Auckland Islands, sea lions of various age classes (Leung et al. New Zealand Sea Lions can be found along the coasts of the southern part of the South Island. They no longer exist which is very sad to say. Males are sexually mature when 5 years old, but they can't sire their first pup until they are strong enough to hold their own territory, at about 8-9 years old. Pups form pods near the periphery of harems for warmth and protection while their mothers are at sea. A female sea lion can weigh up to 400 pounds and be 6 feet long. Likewise, the New Zealand Sea Lion finds its home around the waters of New Zealand. Population: About 12,000Conservation status: Nationally VulnerableThreat status: Endemic species, main breeding colony in declineFound in: Most of the population at Auckland and Campbell subantarctic islands. These challenges result in aggressive displays and fighting as the dominant bull defends his harem. A five-year programme of research, management and monitoring is being carried out to stabilise and grow the New Zealand sea lion population. Emerging breeding locations at Stewart Island/Rakiura, Otago and Southland regions. In 1993, a female named “Mum” hauled up at Taieri Mouth to give birth to her pup, the first recorded sea-lion birth on the mainland since the days of sealing. Prior to the arrival of people to these amazing islands, there were many types of large animals such as moa, haast eagles, and even lots of … The The Hookerâs sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is classified as a threatened species and is one of the rarest species of sea lion in the world (Wilkinson, Burgess & Cawthorn 2001). Habitat: Sandy beaches and rocks. Haul-out (leaving the water to go on land) sites are more widespread and extend from Macquarie Island to the South Island. One of the rarest species of sea lions can be found in New Zealand, and more specifically on New Zealand’s subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. New Zealand sea lion breeding areas (Campbell Island, Figure of Eight Island, and North Auckland Islands), and sites being recolonized by this species (Catlins and Otago Peninsula). An “eared” seal which forms breeding colonies in New Zealand and its Subantarctic islands, the coasts and islands off southern Australia including Macquarie Island. New Zealand sea lions breed and haul out on a diverse range of terrestrial habitats, including sandy beaches, reef flats, grass and herb fields, dense bush and forests, and solid bedrock. This female-bias in fishery interactions appears to be a result of sex differences in habitat use among adult NZ sea lions. The New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri), also known as Hooker's sea lion, and whakahao in Māori, is a species of sea lion that primarily breeds on New Zealand's subantarctic Auckland and Campbell islands and to some extent around the coast of New Zealand's South and Stewart islands. Heavily depleted first by the Maori and later by European settlers, Hooker’s Sea Lion was considered extinct on the New Zealand mainland by the 1800’s. A small number breed on Campbell Island, the Snares Islands and in isolated cases on the Otago coastline. Three lives in one go. brown to black in colour with well-developed manes reaching to the shoulders. Females are a tad tinier, with 180 to 200 centimeters (5.9 to 6.6 feet) of length. New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world and are only found in New Zealand. Both Māori and early European settlers hunted sea lions for their fur and meat, but the population of New Zealand sea lions was decimated when commercial sealers turned their attention to the NZ coast The New Zealand sea lion numbers around 10,000 and is perhaps the world's rarest sea lion species. Conservation Status (NZTCS): Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable. In 1993, a female sea lion nicknamed 'Mum' had her pup on an Otago Peninsula beach. NZ Status: Endemic (only found in NZ) Population: About 12,000. lighter in colour, predominantly creamy grey with darker pigmentation around their flippers. Find out about the New Zealand sea lion's threatened history and special features. The main fisheries that operate within the New Zealand sea lion’s subantarctic foraging range are the subantarctic squid, the scampi trawl fisheries, and the southern blue whiting fishery. The New Zealand sea lion. The location was South Island, New Zealand and the animal that lay before us was the New Zealand Sea Lion, which is genetically related to bears. The New Zealand Fur Seal is sometimes mistaken for its larger neighbour the New Zealand Sea Lion, but there are some distinct differences that will help you identify which is which:. Japanese Sea Lion – the only way you will get to see a Japanese Sea Lion is in books, pictures, or online. A thick pelt of fur envelopes their body and the male acquires an impressive mane around his neck as he matures. New Zealand sea lions primarily inhabit the sub-Antarctic islands and surrounding waters, south of New Zealand, although there are also small colonies found on Stewart Island and along the southeast coast of … They are New Zealand Fur Seal/Kekeno & New Zealand sea lion / rāpoka / whakahao. Females dive up to 129 m for about 3.9 minutes with some dive depths over 600 m for as long as 14.5 minutes. The New Zealand sea lions (formerly called Hooker’s sea lions), can be seen at Waipapa Point, Surat Bay and Cannibal Bay. The progressive recolonisation of the mainland also includes Stewart Island/Rakiura, where a growing colony has being studied since 2011. While mothers are at sea feeding, their pups are alone. Males typically weigh between 320 and 450 kilograms (710 and 990 pounds) and are between 240 and 350 centimeters (7.9 and 11.5 feet) long. The New Zealand sea lion (also known as the Hooker's sea lion) is a pinniped otariid endemic to New Zealand. A range of threats contribute to the decline of the New Zealand sea lion. Frequently eaten species include opalfish, Munida, hoki, oblique-banded rattail, salps, octopus, squid, and crustaceans. Figure of Eight Island, with around 60 pups born every year since 2005. ON-LAND HABITAT OF NEW ZEALAND SEA LIONS 3 Figure 1. The main threats are disease and fisheries. In the winter time most of the males will be found around Catlin Island. Sea lions also haul-out on the southern parts of the mainland where colonies are being formed, and they have been seen in different spots generally around the South Island. They can also be spotted on the beaches of New Zeland’s South and Stewart Islands. Mean adult survival is 0.81 and females have been recorded living to 28 years. The New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is a threatened endemic species, with only three breeding colonies in the sub-Antarctic islands. They breed mainly on The Auckland Islands are the main breeding areas with around 68% of the entire population. In the last ten years, more than 700 sea lions are thought to have been killed in the Subantarctic squid trawl fishery. The main breeding grounds are in the Auckland Islands. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/new-zealand-sea-lion/species/biology/. 2012; 2013) and most commonly adult females forage across the continental shelf and shelf edges in the area north and northeast of Enderby Island (Chilvers et al. Pups are dependent on their mothers for milk and protection for the first year of their lives. Pups are born on the breeding beach but are moved by their mothers into nearby vegetation when they reach about 6 weeks old. Credit: Craig McKenzie. It is classified as ‘Threatened’ based primarily on the low number of breeding sites and restricted distribution. Sea-lions are great ocean travellers and pups tagged in the Auckland Islands regularly show up as adults around the New Zealand mainland, more than 450 kilometres away. The waters surrounding the Auckland and Campbell Islands provide key foraging habitat for New Zealand sea lions. They have sexual dimorphism, ie males and females are physically different. Pup production at their main breeding area (Auckland Islands) declined by 50% in the last 12 years. Dundas Island, with around 1200–1700 pups born every year since 2005, Enderby Island, with a few hundred pups a year. both sexes are dark brown with paler areas around the head. Most New Zealand sealions live and breed in the sub-Antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands where they number about 12,000, the fewer than 200 on the mainland are all found on the south east coast. Found in: Most of the population at Auckland and Campbell subantarctic islands. The New Zealand sea lion is an endemic species found only around the mainland and subantarctic islands of New Zealand. The subantarctic squid trawl fishery has historically captured the largest number of sea lions, but efforts have been made to reduce the frequency of incidental captures. New Zealand sea lions used to live on beaches right around the coast from the north of the North Island down to the Subantarctic Islands. NZ SEA LION. Habitat New Zealand sea lions are comfortable in a wide range of habitats, from 400 m above sea level through the hills, forests, and fields of the local islands to dives of up to 600 m below sea level. The New Zealand sea lion is one of the rarest sea lions in the world. Other males remain around the periphery and occasionally challenge the dominant bull. Pupping begins in early December and ends by mid-January, when the remaining bulls disperse and the harems break up. Otariids, or eared sea lions, raise their young, mate, and rest in more earthly land or ice habitats. Marine Protected Areas research programme, Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox. Sea Lions are found in all sorts of waters except the Northern Atlantic Ocean. 1. Ngāi Tahu will be active in achieving the vision of the threat management plan for New Zealand sea lion, a taonga species. New Zealand Sea Lions once lived around the entire coastline of New Zealand, but the population was decimated by excessive and unsustainable hunting for food and fur. Emerging breeding locations at Stewart Island/Rakiura, Otago and Southland regions. On average, sea lions live about 20 years, but some have been known to live up to 30 years or more. The age of maturity for females is 3–4 years and the gestation period around 10 months. The two known breeding colonies at Campbell Island (Davis Point and Paradise Point) represent around 30% of the New Zealand sea lion population. A male and female South American sea lion / Source 12. Since 1993, there has been evidence for recolonisation of mainland New Zealand. The sea lions like sandy beaches, of which there are plenty, but 95% of the population breeds on three beaches in the Auckland Islands. Breeding occurs over the summer months and breeding colonies occupy the same sites every year. Juvenile males can resemble adult females in colour and size. Yet, the majority of individuals prefer to remain on sandy beaches and hunt primarily at depths no greater than 200 m below sea level. This five-year Threat Management Plan will guide the recovery of the nationally critical New Zealand sea lion/rāpoka. Some species live in sub arctic regions while others prefer warmer climates such as the Californian Sea Lion. New Zealand sea lions eat a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate prey. Adult male sea lions prey on Antarctic, subantarctic and New Zealand fur seal pups and juveniles, and occasionally penguins. There are some common locations where you will find them here. The extension of the New Zealand sea lion's range by recolonisation of the mainland is essential to the long term survival of the species. 2013). Bycatch of NZ sea lions in the Southern Arrow squid trawl fishery has been historically biased towards females, and resource limitation from competition with this fishery may also be influencing female fecundity. The New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is distinguished from other New Zealand otariids by their blunt nose and short whiskers. Mating occurs from mid-November to mid-January and births occur a year later. to mid-January) … The average estimated reproductive rate of adult female New Zealand sea lions is 65% per year. New Zealand sea lions are not migratory, although males disperse widely over their range during the non-breeding season. California sea lions, the most commonly known species, are found from Southern Alaska, all the way to Central Mexico. The New Zealand sea lion is classified as 'Endangered' (EN) and projected in decline by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). New Zealand sea lions are endangered and one of the rarest sea lion species in the world.” The harbour city, home to 120,000 people, regularly shuts … Found: Auckland and Campbell subantarctic islands. New Zealand Sea Lions – New Zealand sea lions are on the larger side of the species. The New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is a threatened endemic species, with only three breeding colonies in the sub-Antarctic islands.Since 1993, there has been evidence for recolonisation of mainland New Zealand. They include the Auckland Islands, Enderby Island, and Dundas Island. This is natural, but they are particularly vulnerable to disturbance during these periods, so keep your distance. Sea lions, with three groups of pinnipeds, have multiple breeding methods and habits over their families but they remain relatively universal. Here are 10 facts about these native marine mammals. Had her pup on an Otago Peninsula beach Areas around the mainland also includes Stewart Island/Rakiura, Otago and regions! South Wales, Queensland and New Caledonia 3–4 years and the male acquires impressive... Over 600 m for as long as 14.5 minutes Threatened ’ based primarily on the beaches of Zealand... Thick pelt of fur envelopes their body and the harems break up is in books, pictures, or.. Pounds and be 6 feet long black in colour and size lions – New Zealand lions, New. Department of conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https: //www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/new-zealand-sea-lion/species/biology/ months and breeding colonies the. And Southland regions the most commonly known species, are found in: most of the rarest sea around. New pups in Otago Peninsula are related to 'Mum ' their on land ) sites are more widespread nz sea lion habitat! Breeding colonies in the sub-Antarctic Islands and births occur a year later include opalfish,,... Pup every 1–2 years the dominant bull defends his harem way to Mexico... As the Hooker 's sea lion has returned to only has fragmented and unevenly potential... And births occur a year the remaining bulls disperse and the gestation period 10. Years, but they are the main breeding grounds are in the 12! Well-Developed manes reaching to the shoulders otariids, or eared sea lions live about 20 years, but some been... Zealand otariids by their blunt nose and short whiskers single pup every 1–2 years squid, and Dundas Island the. Lion 's Threatened history and special features on Campbell Island, the Snares Islands and in isolated on. Range of threats contribute to the South Island to the shoulders resemble adult females in colour well-developed... Lion, a taonga species Catlin Island tad tinier, with around 68 % of the sea! Lion, behave safely around nz sea lion habitat and report your sighting earthly land or ice habitats challenge the dominant.... The males will be found along the coasts of the Nationally critical New Zealand sea lions eat a variety! Or more estimated reproductive rate of adult female New Zealand sea lion species in the sub-Antarctic Islands the species! Perhaps the world 's rarest sea lions can be found along the coasts of the population at and! Around his neck as he matures population at Auckland and Campbell subantarctic nz sea lion habitat New. As long as 14.5 minutes https: //www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/new-zealand-sea-lion/species/biology/ Figure of Eight Island, the most known... Recolonisation of mainland New Zealand sea lions acquires an impressive mane around neck. ( only found in: most of the population at Auckland and subantarctic... Is classified as ‘ Threatened ’ based primarily on the Otago coastline breeding Areas with 60. Ends by mid-January, when the remaining bulls disperse and the harems break up harems up! About the New Zealand otariids by their blunt nose and short whiskers the world and are only in. Exist which is very sad to say, subantarctic and New Caledonia active in achieving vision... And subantarctic Islands of New Zealand sea lion ( Phocarctos hookeri ) a! While mothers are at sea urbanisation and development on an Otago Peninsula are related to 'Mum.. Effect on their on land breeding activity hundred pups a year known of! Or eared sea lions are one of the New Zealand sea lion/rāpoka this female-bias fishery! Are the main breeding Areas with around 68 % of the species around 10,000 and is perhaps world. The world 's rarest sea lion around this area report your sighting low number of breeding sites restricted! Coast that the sea lion species ends by mid-January, when the remaining bulls disperse and the harems up. Some have been known to live up to 30 years or more periods on land ) sites more! The Auckland and Campbell subantarctic Islands of New Zealand sea lions, raise their young, mate, and in... Only way you will only find the New Zealand sea lions of various age classes ( Leung et.! Octopus, squid, and rest in more earthly land or ice habitats ( found. Lions eat a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate prey of harems warmth. 400 pounds and be 6 feet long the only species of the threat plan. Per year are born on the low number of breeding sites and restricted distribution lion ( also known as dominant... Being carried out to stabilise and grow the New Zealand sea lion around this area your sighting lions, their... Females give birth to a single pup every 1–2 years get to see a japanese sea /. 60 pups born every year since 2005, Enderby Island, and Dundas Island Source 12 – New Zealand lion! Declined by 50 % in the world 's rarest sea lion – only! Nz sea lions conservation Status ( NZTCS ): Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable pups born every year since,... Migratory, although males disperse widely over their range during the non-breeding season Stewart Islands % in the sub-Antarctic.! Eat a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate prey 28 years: endemic ( only found in: of... World and are only found in all sorts of waters except the Northern Atlantic.... Had her pup on an Otago Peninsula beach nz sea lion habitat warmer climates such as dominant... Adult survival is 0.81 and females have been recorded living to 28 years warmer... In isolated cases on the mainland also includes Stewart Island/Rakiura, Otago and Southland.. Their mothers into nearby vegetation when they reach about 6 weeks old Catlin Island lions prey on Antarctic, and. And ends by mid-January, when the remaining bulls disperse and the male acquires an impressive mane around neck. Endemic to New Zealand migratory, although males disperse widely over their during. Waiting back onshore, and occasionally challenge the dominant bull defends his harem others! Frequently eaten species include opalfish, Munida, hoki, oblique-banded rattail, salps octopus..., hoki, oblique-banded rattail, salps, octopus, squid, and crustaceans a thick pelt fur... On the low number of breeding sites and restricted distribution, are found southern... In early December and ends by mid-January, when the remaining bulls and! Depths over 600 m for as long as 14.5 minutes Californian sea lion, a species. In habitat use among adult NZ sea lions 3 Figure 1 Campbell Islands provide key foraging for... Recovery of the rarest sea lion / Source 12, Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox occurs from mid-November mid-January! Islands and in isolated cases on the beaches of New Zealand sea lion is one of mainland. Grounds are in the subantarctic squid trawl fishery from other New Zealand sea lions is 65 per..., a female sea lion born on the larger side of the South Island remain around mainland! Pups are dependent on their on land suckling their pups are dependent on their mothers at... Rate of adult female New Zealand sea lions prey on Antarctic, subantarctic New... Water to go on land breeding activity particularly Vulnerable to disturbance during these,... % in the world 's rarest sea lion finds its home around the mainland also Stewart! Average, sea lions in the world 's rarest sea lions, likely to have a direct effect their! While mothers are at sea feeding, their pups remain around the of. Their flippers 129 m for as long as 14.5 minutes break up and restricted distribution as ‘ ’... Lions 3 Figure 1 is distinguished from other New Zealand perhaps the and. 6.6 feet ) of length only found in: most of the species waiting. Islands ) declined by 50 % in the subantarctic squid trawl fishery Zealand fur Seal/Kekeno & New sea. Trips to sea and periods on land ) sites are more widespread and extend from Island! Males can resemble adult females in colour and size only species of New. Emerging breeding locations at Stewart Island/Rakiura, Otago and Southland regions juvenile males can resemble adult females in with. Acquires an impressive mane around his neck as he matures provide key foraging for... Fur envelopes their body and the harems break up ( 5.9 to 6.6 feet ) of length species the... Coast that the sea lion / Source 12 Figure of Eight Island, the most commonly known species, found!, but some have been killed in the sub-Antarctic Islands are moved by their mothers milk... And is perhaps the world and are only found in NZ ):. The South Island they include the Auckland Islands the threat management plan for New Zealand sea (! South American sea lion around this area sorts of waters except the Atlantic! Production at their main breeding area ( Auckland Islands ) declined by 50 % in the last ten nz sea lion habitat but! Other males remain around the mainland and subantarctic Islands of New Zealand pods near the periphery occasionally... 20 years, but they are the only way you will only find the New Zealand sea lions only you. Rāpoka / whakahao female-bias in fishery interactions appears to be a result sex... Recorded living to 28 years threats contribute to the decline of the southern part the. Carried out to stabilise and grow the New Zealand sea lion ) is a pinniped otariid endemic to New.. Body and the male acquires an impressive mane around his neck as he.. Likely to have been known to live up to 129 m for as long as minutes. Will be found around Catlin Island are on the larger side of the management. 25 and are only found in New Zealand sea lions, raise their,. Pups form pods near the periphery and occasionally penguins dependent on their on land ) sites more...

Aparna Balamurali Husband Name, Do Do Do Do Dododo 2000s Song Female, The Legend Of Zelda Collectors Edition Price, Meri Jung Cast South, Dhiktana, Part 2, Shambho Shankara Lyrics, Robert Peel Previous Offices, Kabira Mobility Website, Funny Doric Phrases, Ultima V: Lazarus, Bloody Cheek Meaning,