Sea lion takes summer dip in public pool

The sea lion decided it was a lovely day for a lap or two this afternoon. Photo / Gregor Richardson

Swimmers were this afternoon evacuated from a public pool after a sea lion "waddled through" reception and entered the water.

St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool supervisor Paul Swanson said about 100 swimmers were at the Dunedin pool when the 1.5m sea lion decided to join them about 2.30pm.

"He waddled right through reception and went into the pool."

Swimmers weren't bothered by being forced out by the sea lion, which he believed was about three years old.

"They're loving it ... there's going to be hundreds of pictures online."

People were not too perturbed with its presence. Photo / David Agnew, DOC

Department of Conservation staff arrived at the pool and were attempting to move the sea lion on. He was "completely docile" but precautions were taken to keep everyone safe, Swanson said.

Pool staff hadn't seen the sea lion before, and the last to visit the pools did so about 10 years ago, he said.