Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 11 August 2025
DOC Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming says the killing of the three highly endangered New Zealand pakake is the latest blow to the species in what’s becoming a disturbing and unacceptable pattern.
“It’s completely horrifying and simply not good enough. As a country we pride ourselves on our native wildlife and these acts are not who we are. Our precious taonga deserve much better. Most people are rightly appalled when they hear of these cowardly acts so we are hopeful that someone, somewhere will have a conscience and come forward and tell us what they know,” Aaron says.
Two sub-adult male pakake were found dead and a third grievously injured near the mouth of the Waitaki river on Saturday in the attack on the nationally endangered species. All three had wounds consistent with being shot by a firearm. The third was euthanised following veterinary assessment.
Aaron says this brings the number deliberately killed by people to at least five in the past year alone. A female sea lion known as Jade and her pup were killed by firearm last year in the Catlins. Investigations are ongoing.
“Because the population is so small, any loss is felt hard. We know them, we’ve cared for them, we’ve followed their progress as they’ve grown. One was tagged as a pup at Port Pegasus, Rakiura and the other at Enderby Island in the subantarctic. They were born in the summer 2024 breeding season; to lose them so soon is just gutting. Collecting the bodies of shot sea lions should not be a job for DOC rangers.”
The NZ Sea Lion Trust co-chair Shaun McConkey says the trust is devasted by the latest incident.
“It is heartbreaking that there are some people who want to deliberately harm our endangered, native species.
“After the shooting and stabbing of three sea lions less than a year ago in The Catlins there seems to be a disturbing new trend of heartless attacks on sea lions. The perpetrators need to be caught and punished to the full extent of the law to send a clear message.”
CEO, Te Rūnanga o Moeraki Trevor McGlinchey says Te Rūnanga o Moeraki is appalled by the killing and cruel wounding of pakake within their takiwā.
“Pakake are taoka (treasured) species to us and were highly valued by our tūpuna for their flesh, fat and pelt. We support the police and the Department of Conservation in seeking to find and lay charges against whomever shot these pakake.”
It is illegal to injure or kill protected native wildlife like sea lions and anyone who does so can face punishments of up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000.
Aaron Fleming says sharing coastlines with marine mammals is a privilege and a hard-fought one at that.
“We all stand united in our condemnation of this callous act. Enough is enough.”
Anyone with information should contact DOC on 0800 DOC HOT, the NZ police on 105 or the Oamaru police station.
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