New Zealand sea lions/pakake and very curious, and cheeky. Particularly the pups. Like a dog, they may approach you on their rotating flippers, to satisfy their curiosity about you. When I was recently on my regular ‘pakake patrol,’ this wee female pup spied me, and began approaching. I slowly backed further away onto the adjacent road, trying to discourage her from getting closer. As she neared the road, I used my body as a blockade to prevent her from crossing the popular road. It was love at first sight (on my end); there is no feeling akin to gazing into an animal eyes, and establishing a connection.
The moral of the story is, please ensure when you are traveling to Allans Beach in Ōtepoti/Dunedin NZ, drive slowly. If you witness a pakake on the road, contact the Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust, or us. As pakake specialist Odin Neil stated, “You’ve got to consider the issue of sea lions becoming accustomed to cars and wandering onto the road. They are unaware of the risk cars pose to them.” Please keep your distance from pakake too, whilst they may decrease the gap between you and them; slowly back away and be conscious to not make it a game for these cheeky animals.
Photo: Pakake by Sian Mair.