Please drive along coastal roads slowly and be vigilant. Unfortunately, endangered species New Zealand sea lions/pakake never learned the road code. Unlike domesticated wildlife, who will move out of the way of vehicles, sea lions do not understand the threats that vehicles pose them and will take their time crossing the road to get to the other tide.
In the approximately 150 years that sea lions were absent from mainland Aotearoa, technology has advanced significantly. Once, sea lions may have encountered a Two Benz car that could not legally exceed 20 kilometres per hour; nowadays vehicles are larger, faster, and more powerful. Sea lions cannot defend themselves against a vehicle that can legally go up to 100 kilometres per hour. When out and about, please keep an eye out!
Photo: Sian Mair. Taken from 10 meters away.