Follow

Support

Life in the Sub-antarctic

The Last Stronghold

Fight for Survival

A Tough Life in Rough Seas

The Last Stronghold

The Subantarctic islands represent the last stronghold for the pakake/New Zealand sea lion. Motu Maha (the Auckland Islands) are 50° 30' south and home to the majority of pakake. Dundas Island is the main breeding hub with ~76% of pakake pups born there. Sandy Bay on Enderby Island is the next largest colony and is the birthplace of ~20% of pups. Figure of Eight Island is another long standing breeding colony (produces ~4% pups). Motu Ihupuku (Campbell Island) is 52° 30' south and also home to breeding pakake. Only (produces ~24% pups). Tini Heke (the Snares Islands) are 48° 01' degrees south and have been home to breeding sea lions but only small numbers have ever been recorded there.

Breeding range restricted to sub-ants (C n G 1998) 70% of pups are born on Dundas Island, others are born on Enderby, figure 8, and Campbell (C and G 1998). 73% pup production at Auckland Islands (Maloney et al., 2012).

A Tough Life in Rough Seas

Average

Maximum

Average time at sea

Average trip distance

Maximum offshore range

While these islands have provided a last refuge for the pakake the Subantarctic is no paradise. Pakake are the deepest and longest diving sea lions in the world. They work at the edge of their physical limit to find food. In contrast their relatives who live on mainland New Zealand are some of the shallowest and shortest divers. Researchers believe this is because the Subantartic is not ideal habitat for pakake and that they are fighting extinction (on the edge of their world).

Average

Maximum

Dive depth

Dive duration

Average trip distance

Fight for Survivial

Learn more about pakake

Sub-antarctic Population

Work in the Sub-antarctic

Threats in the Sub-antarctic