The Subantarctic Islands are home to the rarest and most endangered species of Sea Lion in the world, the New Zealand Sea Lion (also known as Hooker’s Sea Lion or whakahao in Māori). Where to See New Zealand Sea Lions. The main threats are disease and fisheries. Four endangered sea lions have been killed by a fishing vessel trawling for squid off the remote Auckland Islands.
Endangered sea lions in the Catlins, New Zealand… The shaggy beast looked a lot like a bear, but we were in the wrong domain for such a creature.
Males are about 11.5 feet long and the females are about 7 feet long.
It has three options for managing the impact on the declining New Zealand sea lion population.. One allows for up to 26 sea lions to be killed each year, another 52, and a third, 104. Fisheries New Zealand is consulting on a new management plan for the squid fishery at the Auckland Islands.
Governments, scientists and conservationists recognise that NZ sea lions are under severe threat from disease, accidental death as a result of fisheries by-catch, and habitat change caused by fishing. Also known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion, the New Zealand Sea Lion is one of the largest animals found in New Zealand. NZ sea lion has changed from “Nationally Critical” (the same category as the kākāpō) to “Nationally Vulnerable” based on “actual improvement”. A range of threats contribute to the decline of the New Zealand sea lion.
New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, with an estimated 12,000 left. Once these magnificent creatures would have been seen along the entire length of the New Zealand coast. Finally, in 1880, a new law protected the New Zealand sea lion. Professor Steve Dawson, Professor Liz Slooten, Associate Professor Bruce Robertson The Department of Conservation (DOC) has downgraded the threat status of the New Zealand sea lion and New Zealand (Hector’s) dolphin.
Males are from 990 pounds with females smaller at about 370 pounds. Distribution I was out leading a tour group in my capacity as a wildlife guide. New Zealand Sea Lion – Phocarctos hookeri Description. New Zealand sea lions (also known as whakahao/rāpoka or Hooker’s sea lion) are the rarest species of sea lion in the world and the most threatened because of their declining numbers. Limited historical data suggests New Zealand sea lion populations used to exceed 70,000 individuals. However, hunting by both Maori and settler populations in the 19th century decimated the species. Meet the NZ Sea Lion Trust Amelia, Jordana, Eeva, Bryony and John (with Mum in the middle) Founded in 2003, The New Zealand Sea Lion Trust was established to provide protection to and education about this critically endangered marine mammal species.
Perhaps the world’s rarest sea lion, this particular species is only found in and around New Zealand, and has only about 12,000 individuals total.
Under local law, anyone who kills a sea lion could face up … The New Zealand Sea Lion A Stunning Conservation Comeback Walking through the undulating dunes, I saw a big furry creature swaddled in the couch grass. Their home, an exceptional landscape of volcanic islands marked by sheer cliffs and deep fjords, is a world unto itself.