It's been a record breeding season for Otago's critically endangered sea lion, with nine new pups bolstering the tiny mainland population.
The species was once hunted to near extinction. It's slowly fighting its way back, but the Department of Conservation (DOC) says some people are wilfully jeopardising its survival.
The coastal Otago beach track is closed but the warning tape has been ripped down twice now.
It's warning tape that's there, because tucked away right next to the track is a three-week-old sea lion pup.
DOC's been busy with a bumper crop of nine pups scattered across seven beaches, micro-chipping, tagging, and taking DNA samples from each one so they can monitor the sea lions throughout their lifetimes.
"We're really happy, but it is keeping us on our toes, the places that they're turning up," says DOC Biodiversity Ranger Jim Fyfe.
Sea lion mums like nice sandy beaches, but so do people, so they're up against campers, quad bikes, vehicles and dogs.
Frustratingly, DOC's warning signs are being ignored and damaged.
Residents enamoured by their new neighbours are angry some visitors are defying the rules.
"They're almost as rare as the Maui dolphin and we can see them every day, so we have to look after them," says sea lion advocate Michelle McGrath.
Globally, sea lions are in steep decline because of climate change, fishing and disease.
It's estimated there are fewer than 150 on the mainland, and only 30 in Otago.
Sea lions were extinct on the mainland for hundreds of years until one female named Mum decided to come back to have her pup.
There are now around a dozen breeding females because of that, and roaming the beach today are Mum's granddaughter and her great-granddaughter
It's a tenuous grip on survival but an extraordinary second chance at defying extinction.
"I look at this like getting the Moa back," Mr Fyfe says. "It's actually a really amazing opportunity and in the world at this time, that sort of conservation story is really rare."
DOC will keep putting up the tape and signs and stress it's only for the next six weeks, until the pups are strong enough to follow their mum out to sea.
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