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
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