A group of tourists were exploring one of Australia’s most popular wildlife hotspots when they stumbled upon an incredible scene in the middle of the road. A “big bull” of an Australian sea lion was bathing in the sun in the centre of a dirt road on Wednesday, right between two blind corners.
Photographer Nikki Redman quickly snapped images of the amazing sight on Point Ellen Road, near Vivonne Bay, on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island before reporting the sighting to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). She warned drivers to “take extra care” while travelling along the road.
An SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW) spokesperson told Yahoo News that it is aware of the sea lion lying in the road. “NPWS has put up temporary signage alerting drivers to the seal and is continuing to monitor the situation,” the spokesperson said.
“NPWS encourages drivers to be aware of the possibility of wildlife on roads at all times.”
Sharing the encounter online, Nikki said she was on a tour with four Spanish guests, who “couldn’t believe their eyes when we came across him.”
The sea lion was found in the middle of the road. Source: Nikki Redman Photography
The Australian sea lion is one of the rarest species in the world, with an estimated population of just 12,000. Sadly, the native animals, which have a small external ear flap, are facing a critical decline.
They face a number of threats, including entanglements, interactions with commercial fisheries, habitat loss, climate change and human disturbances from tourists, DEW previously said.
The species is also “unique” in the fact that females have one of the longest pregnancies in mammals, almost 18 months. It means that “even without the added pressure of current anthropogenic [human] threats, it’ll take a much longer time for their population to recover”, Ashleigh Wycherley, Seal Bay Conservation Park research and operations coordinator, previously said.
Roughly 800 live in Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island, Wycherley told Yahoo News Australia last year and the colony attracts more than 100,000 travellers to the award-winning ecotourism site each year.
Photographer Nikki said the colony is “full of surprises” and can travel up to two kilometres inland just to rest.
“But to find one stretched out on the main road? That’s definitely a Kangaroo Island traffic jam we won’t forget anytime soon,” she said.
Public warned to stay at least 30 metres away
DEW urged the public to keep their distance if they encounter one of the incredible animals.
“In accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals – Marine Mammals) Regulations 2010, the public is reminded to maintain a minimum distance of 30 metres from any marine mammal when they are on land, and not to interfere with the animals,’ the spokesperson said.
“This requirement ensures protection of the animal itself, as well as ensuring public safety.”
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