Department of Conservation warning for beachgoers on wildlife dangers

New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) is appealing to tourists to keep their distance from seals when visiting beaches for wildlife encounters.

The call comes just days after a tourist was captured dancing near a large sea lion, before it lunged at her at Sandfly Bay on the Otago Peninsula.

DOC coastal Otago Ranger Jim Fyfe said after that close calls it was time to educate beach-goers on giving wildlife space.

Fyfe told Fairfax NZ “we're really lucky in Otago to share our coastline with wonderful creatures such as sea lions, and we know people are excited to see them.

"However, no-one likes it when someone sits too close in the coffee shop or is making too much noise when you're trying to rest - so why do that to a 350kg sea lion?"

DOC Rangers and volunteers spoke to more than 180 people - including locals and tourists - last weekend to remind them about sharing beaches with marine mammals.

Fyfe advised “it's about being respectful to the animal, giving them space and enjoying from a safe distance - for both people and the sea lions."

The Rangers' presence prevented at least one group from upsetting a sea lion, with Fyfe stating “we were able to hastily step in and stop a man and his daughter from rushing straight up to an unsuspecting sea lion.”

Last weekend there were 20 male sea lions sunbathing at Dunedin's Sandfly Bay, with the marine mammal as endangered as the kiwi or kākāpō.

Fyfe added “we are privileged to have them on our beaches as there were no sea lions being born on the peninsula prior to 1993."

DOC recommend that beachgoers should stand 20 metres from marine mammals wherever practicable, but 10 metres - or roughly two car lengths - was acceptable if that space was not available.

DOC staff and volunteers will continue to visit beaches around Dunedin over the coming summer, monitoring wildlife and talking with visitors.

Images: A woman turns and runs after aggravating a sea lion on a Dunedin beach (top, YOUTUBE) and DOC ranger Jim Fyfe and Wildlife Response Kaitiaki (volunteer) Janine Baker, approach a 350kg sea lion at an Otago beach (below, courtesy of DOC).