Sea Lion resting at Sandfly Bay.

The New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is also known as Hooker’s sea lion, and to Māori as whakahao. Its main food is fish and cephalopods such as squid and octopus. Adults males are classically dark brown, with a mane of thick hair about the neck and shoulders and can weigh up to 400kg. Females weigh about half that and are a creamy yellow colour. The main breeding grounds are the subantartic islands but sea lions do appear to be returning to breed on the Otago coastline. The sea lions like sandy beaches just like Cannibal Bay, hauling onto the beach and sand dunes. They are the world’s most threatened sea lion species, with fewer than 12,000 individuals remaining.