Losing the juvenile female, who was born about 60 km up the Clutha River Mata-au earlier this year, is a significant setback for the local population.
DOC Murihiku Operations Manager John McCarroll says the necropsy, carried out by Massey University scientists, found the young female sea lion likely died several hours after she was shot.
"These necropsy results tell us the sea lion was alive when she was shot. She was last seen alive on Monday 16 September and was reported dead to us on the morning of Sunday 22 September.
X-ray of the sea lion showing shotgun pellets
Image: Massey University
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
