Dunedin fish and chip shop staff trapped after sea lion waddles in

The sea lion entered a Dunedin takeaway shop last night, shocking staff and onlookers alike. Photo / Takeaways on Marlow

A Dunedin fish and chip shop had an unlikely lock-in over the weekend as a stranded sea lion temporarily trapped them inside.

Staff at Takeaways on Marlow were shocked last night when the marine mammal wandered into their shop off nearby St Kilda Beach.

Owner Rachel told the Herald she was serving a local man at around 6pm when the sea lion decided to lie across the shop floor, blocking the front door.

“We were quite shocked, but we saw lots of people outside, so we were not very panicked. We just couldn’t get out of the shop.”

With no back door, the four staff members and a customer were stuck in the shop for half an hour while onlookers watched on.

The sea lion entered a Dunedin takeaway shop last night, shocking staff and onlookers alike. Photo / Takeaways on Marlow

She said the five stayed calm as the Department of Conservation was called to retrieve the stranded animal.

“The sea lion is just lying down on the floor, so we’re not very worried. We’re just waiting for DoC to come to get that sea lion out.”

The department has been approached for comment about the incident.

Local fish and chippery Takeaways on Marlow is located a few streets away from popular St Kilda Beach. Photo / Google

One of the rarest species of the animal in the world, New Zealand sea lions are nationally protected and the subject of significant conservation efforts.

With Otago’s sea lion population steadily increasing in size and the onset of breeding season last month, sightings in urban areas are expected to become more frequent over the summer.

Kiwis are advised not to approach the animals when stranded or injured due to the risk they may become aggressive.

Sea lion sightings should instead be reported to DoC at 0800 362 468 or online here.