Distribution and breeding of New Zealand sea lions Phocarctos hookeri on Campbell Island

Abstract Campbell Island is the only major breeding site for the New Zealand sea lion Phocarctos hookeri outside the Auckland Islands. Minimum pup production was estimated at 78 for the 1997/98 breeding season, compared with the only previous estimate of 122 from 1991/92, and represents less than 5% of the total pup production for the species. Sea lions at Campbell Island have a widespread distribution, clumped at the coast and scattered inland. Local concentrations of sea lions were seen at Davis Point, Sandy Bay and both Northeast and Southeast Harbours. Isolated individuals were found up to 1.5 km inland and at altitudes up to 250 m. Breeding females at Campbell Island are generally solitary and give birth inland, in contrast to the highly gregarious colonies seen on the coasts of the Auckland Islands. In some years a small breeding colony forms on the coast, often at Davis point, but its location is variable. Overall, the present distribution and abundance of sea lions on Campbell Island does not appe...