The Department of Conservation (DoC) says it is disappointed after videos emerged showing tourists provoking sea lions on an Otago beach.
Dunedin woman Glynis Corson captured two videos of people getting dangerously close to sea lions at Sandfly Bay on the Otago Peninsula on Sunday.
She says she was "flabbergasted" by the incidents.
"You just can't get that close to the wildlife," she told Newshub.
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The first video shows a young woman approach the sea lion, jumping around and laughing to get its attention. The sea lion lunges at the woman, but she manages to get away.
Ms Corson says the woman was within two metres of the sea lion. She later spoke with the tourist to tell her how "stupid" she was being.
Another video shows a man walking near a sea lion with his child.
DoC Coastal Otago ranger Jim Fyfe says this sort of behaviour is "disappointing".
"My impression is she's showing off to somebody, acting up for the camera, she's doing it for her own gratification rather than respect the wildlife," he told Newshub.
Disturbing or attacking marine mammals is an offence under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and if someone is caught they can face fines or imprisonment.
Signs are placed around coastal beaches in a number of languages warning people not to interact with sea lions. Over summer volunteers man the beaches to ensure people aren't coming close to the animals.
Often sea lions will charge towards people to assert their dominance and protection of their area, something that is seen in this video, Mr Fyfe says.
"It wasn't an attack, it's sort of 'you're in my space get out', if it was an attack she would know about it."
DoC recommends staying at least 10 metres away from sea lions at all times, to stay calm and not encourage them to 'play'.
Newshub.
