KEY POINTS:
One threatened species is harming another, as two of the jewels of New Zealand wildlife become involved in a dog-eat-dog spat.
Mammal scientists carrying out research on the Otago Peninsula believe sea lions breeding on the Otago coast are eating yellow-eyed penguins, posing a major threat to the future of the birds. But the Department of Conservation is not panicking, saying it appears a breeding sea lion has simply acquired a taste for yellow-eyed penguins. The researchers, led by University of Otago marine mammal scientist Dr Chris Lalas, say their findings may create a quandary for conservation management with one threatened species harming another. The research was published in Science Direct.
Evidence from prey remains indicate male sea lions do not eat yellow-eyed penguins, but female sea lions may eat 20 to 30 annually.
"To do nothing could risk collapse of the Otago Peninsula population of yellow-eyed penguins," the report said.
Department of Conservation coastal marine ranger Jim Fyfe said there was no need to panic about the viability of yellow-eyed penguins.
He said there was still a lot of research to be done.
DoC was trying to establish a breeding colony for sea lions on the Otago Peninsula. To be recognised as a colony, 35 breeding animals had to be on the peninsula. There are currently six breeding females.
"So, for that reason we are reluctant to take any action, but we will keep an eye on it," Mr Fyfe said.
The sea lion believed to be eating penguins was Katya, the first pup born on the peninsula to Mum, the sea lion that had ignited the population on the peninsula in the late 1980s.
Mr Fyfe said Katya was believed to be eating up to three yellow-eyed penguins a month.
"We don't want to get rid of Katya. She is the best producer of the females at the moment. Mum is going to go away in a couple of years and she will take over as the matriarch."
The penguin population was not under threat from one sea lion, he said.
Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust field co-ordinator David McFarlane said it was up to DoC to make a call on the situation.
There was more than 450 breeding pairs of yellow-eyed penguins on the mainland this season. At the summer peak, more than 400 tourists visited the peninsula to view the penguins every day.
-OTAGO DAILY TIMES
