Pupping season for descendant of one of New Zealand's best-known sea lions

It would be nice to think Moana, the sea lion, was visiting the memorial for her great-grandmother, Mum, on The Esplanade at St Clair yesterday.

But in reality, Department of Conservation coastal Otago biodiversity ranger Jim Fyfe said the heavily pregnant 11-year-old was just resting up in the sun, in preparation for having pups next month.

"Moana loves hanging out around the nearby sand-sausages.

"It's not because of the statue.

"I've often speculated that the sea lions in the area look at the sand-sausages as giant sea lion goddesses.

"These huge maternal-looking sand bags may be seen by the sea lions as something that is very securing and familiar."

Fyfe said Mum was the first New Zealand sea lion to give birth on the mainland in 150 years - hence the memorial statue.

He said Mum had a daughter named Suzie, who went on to have Teyah.

"Moana is the youngest of Teyah's pups."

At the moment, Moana and about 36 other pregnant females were moving further inland in a bid to hide from their yearling pups, which were being weaned off, so they could focus on the latest pups.

"It's also coming up to the breeding season, so they're trying to avoid the attention of males as well.

"In many places around the Otago coastline, we've got many females picking their favourite spots further inland.

"So people need to be quite vigilant about them at this time of year - being in places that you wouldn't normally expect them, like tracks down to the beaches.

"Our advice at this time of year is to keep your distance and be respectful of them.

"If you can find a different route to bypass them, you should take it."

Fyfe also recommended dog-walkers keep their dogs on leads from their car until they got down on to the beach to avoid any issues.

Pupping would start about December 20 and people needed to be wary around the coastal region until the end of January, he said.

- This story was first published by the Otago Daily Times