A sea lion has been spotted with a foreign object lodged in its neck.
The New Zealand sea lion trust said in a Facebook post on Wednesday the animal was last spotted around Sandfly Bay, near Dunedin.
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A picture of the sea lion shows the large object embedded in its neck. It appears to be a fish hook and has a fish's head attached.
"If you see him, please do not approach him. Please contact DOC immediately on 0800 DOC HOT or 034770677," the picture caption says.
Commenters were distraught at the situation, many sharing their shock and upset at the sea lion's situation.
"Poor baby," one person wrote.
"Oh god! Oh help," another said.
Newshub.
