Dunedin is grappling with the question of how to manage a growing sea lion population in a busy urban area

If a neighbourhood cat padded into your garden it would barely register a passing glance. But what if it was a whiskery, 300kg male sea lion, with a mouth full of teeth, seeking love on your doorstep, or a heavily pregnant sea lion lounging among the flowers?

For those living in New Zealand’s southern city, Dunedin – where a growing population of sea lions are becoming resident – close interactions with the rare and charismatic animals are increasingly a reality.