![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=1920,fit=crop/YyvE11X06bsOyPBa/_dsc2386-AzGjk54ne2fOvnb1.jpg)
The Collapse
It is estimated that the Sub-antarctic Islands were once home to more than 68,000 Pakake
(Robertson, 2015)
But when humans arrived everything changed
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=1920,fit=crop/YyvE11X06bsOyPBa/_dsc8955-AoPZzM9e5yH01rne.jpg)
On the Road to Recovery
Following the end of hunting Pakake numbers slowly increased
1907 reported as "quite numerous" on snares, aucklands and Campbell (C n G 1998 c Waite, 1909, p.542). Estimated 200 on Sandy Bay beach Enderby and reports of pups born, the first since sealing (C n G 1998 c Wilson, 1907, 1966). Noted small number of breeding sea lions at Snares (C n G 1998).
1941 report of plentiful sea lions on Enderby (C n G 1998 c Pollock, 1941). Sea lions found covering Dundas Island (C n G 1998 c Pollock 1941).
1942-1979 estimation of breeding population of 1000 sea lions at Sandy Bay and production of 350-400 pups p.a. (C n G 1998 c Falla 1965, 1975, Falla et al., 1979).
1947 estimated only 20 females and hundreds of males on Campbell Island, though young pups also seen (C n G 1998 c Bailey and Sorensen, 1962). Report of increase in population between 1941 and 1958 but overall described as not abundant (C n G 1998 c Bailey and Sorensen, 1962).
1969-1971 record of two pup births and a count of 47 sea lions on the Snares (C n G 1998 c Crawley and Cameron 1972).
Survey of pup production started 1972 at Sandy Bay (C n G 1998). Survey of pups at Dundas began in 1974 with over 1000 pups counted (C n G 1998). Colony estimated as twice the size of Sandy Bay (C n G 1998 c Best 1974).
1975 reported 78 sea lions and only one female on Campbell Island (C n G 1998 c Russ 1980).
1978 survey at Dundas counted a minimum of 1680 pups (C n G 1998c Falla et al., 1979).
1984/1985 report of around 30 pups on Campbell island and noted this reflected a gradual increase (C n G 1998 c Taylor and Sadleir 1985 p. 4).
1987/1988 report of at least 51 pups on Campbell (C n G 1998 c Moore and Moffat 1990).
1991/1992 98 pups tagged on Campbell Island and 24 dead pups were recorded (C n G 1998).
1992/1993 an estimated 150 pups for Campbell Island (C n G 1998 c Cawthorn 1993). An estimation of 10 pups for snares islands (C n G 1998 c Cawthorne 1993).
Pup production stable in Auckland islands for three decades.
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=1920,fit=crop/YyvE11X06bsOyPBa/_dsc4143-A852qpJjgQtP5oQx.jpg)
Renewed Decline
Unfortunately only 100 years after the ban of hunting Pakake numbers began to decline again
Decline of 48% on pup production between 1994/95 season and 2013/14 season (Childerhouse et al., 2013)
2015 population estimate (entire range) 11,767 (95% Credibility interval: 10,790– 12,923; Chilvers & Meyer, 2017)