Australian Sea-Lion One Is the of Rarest Seal Species the in the in World

Vulnerable Bioregion resources Breeding means years) it takes a while for 25 Their to long span (up life them reach maturity to age where (an they can reproduce). When they pups they finally have only one every have 17.6 months, and only about 30 pups per of from each breeding cent season survive maturity. to Habitat About 80 the per Australian of Sea-lion world’s cent population occurs SA. in These large travel distances animals find food to thebut return to same places rest to on land. Threats The Australian Sea-lion one is the of rarest seal species the in the in world. remain world. Only Hunting 10,000 12,000 to decimated centuries their and population and 19th the in 18th beenthey have slow recover. to Sea-lions now are protected Australian in waters, but there still are threatsmany their to survival SA. in Australian Sea-lions killed are Thisillegally often is and accidentally. entanglement a result of in nets (especially those used and marine gillnet fishing) debris. for Australian Sea-lions die from diseases parasites, related to eaten are sharks,by suffer from habitat destruction and clearance on coasts sometimesand are harmed boat by strikes. The Australian Sea-lion belongs the to Eared Seal family, Otariidae external have (they Theyears). propel themselves through the their using flippers water front capable and are of flippers. onwalking on land four all Sea-lions sociable are and gather animals groups, in called rest to and sunbathe on rocks and beaches. colonies, 10-15, of and larger females than (cows) darker are Malesbulls) (called and can weigh 300 up Pups to born are kg. with a dark brown months and an adult old. moultcoat look three four at to to like Diet New ZealandUnlike Seals Fur feed that the in column, water Australian Sea-lions find most their of food An on the sea floor. adult with female an unweaned pup (baby sea-lion) will eat food of per sea. at about day kg ten eight to Their carnivorous diet opportunistic, is eating squid, octopus, scale penguins, fish, rays, sharks small and some crustaceans.

MapMap courtesy courtesy of of Mapping Mapping Unit, Unit, Customer Customer and and Commerical Commerical Services. Services. MapMap is is not not intended intended to to indicate indicate spatial spatial distribution distribution of of the the species, species, onlyonly the the bioregions bioregions in in which which the the species species is is found. found.

Neophoca cinerea Australian Sea-lion You can help the Australian Sea-lion by: You Sea-lion Australian the help can Conservation makes 900-1200 dives! In a3day foraging trip an individual 2 |Australian Sea-lion • • • (08) 8551 (08) Fleurieu: Southern 0524 0176 8384 (08) Adelaide: Southern 7255 8234 (08) Central Adelaide: 8436 8563 (08) Barossa: 8289 Adelaide:Northern 8406 (08) team on: sub regional Education relevant NRM the contact please opportunities and resources education environmental about information wanting more teachers For enquiries Education 8550Willunga: (08) 3400 5900 8389 (08) Lobethal: 8523 (08) 7700 Gawler: Eastwood: on: Centre Natural Resource office your nearest contact please in resource this any species on information of the local more For Public enquiries For furtherinformation ocean, or on the beach and don’t disturb them. don’t disturb and beach the on or ocean, in the wild, in the Sea-lions see you if keeping your distance animalsmarine harm can these as nets and line,including fishing hooks fishing, going after you with home any rubbish taking in it entangled becoming or it from eating die can Sea-lions and from everywhere way ocean to makes the its in abin, litter as rubbish putting (08) 8273 9100 8273 (08) Neophoca cinerea cinerea Neophoca

Photo by Simon Bryars Bryars Simon by Photo Morcom Robyn by Photo Australian Sea-lion Australian Australian Sea-lion Australian

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