Stuffed female to lure away sea lions

Sea lions. File photo / Richard Robinson

The Department of Conservation is hoping to curb troublesome behaviour by male sea lions in Southland with a stuffed female decoy.

Sea lions have caused problems in Curio Bay, in the Catlins, for some time - slumping on tents at camping grounds, charging cars and chasing people.

DOC Murihiku area manager Dave Taylor told the Southland Times most people did not know what to do around the critically endangered mammals, which moved quickly and could be aggressive.

In an experiment this summer, a stuffed female sea lion is to be used to lure the attention-seeking animals away.

However, Mr Taylor did not appear all that hopeful about the ploy, saying it was likely the sea lions would quickly realise the dummy was a fake and return to the camp ground.

- NZPA