Sea Lion Bite: St John Responds to Incident Near Coast

A person was rushed to Dunedin Hospital in a moderate condition on Friday afternoon after being bitten by a sea lion at Brighton Beach, New Zealand. Hato Hone St John confirmed they responded to reports of the incident at 1:23 PM local time.

While the species of marine mammal involved hasn’t been definitively confirmed, St John stated reports indicate the person was bitten by either a seal or a sea lion while in the water. Fire and Emergency New Zealand also assisted in the response.

Department of Conservation (DoC) operations manager Gabe Davies said It’s “fairly common” to see seals or sea lions in coastal environments. He advised people to stay at least 20 meters away from the animals when they are on land.

“It’s extremely uncommon for these interactions to be other than gentle,” Davies said.

Gabe Davies, Department of Conservation operations manager

Davies explained that seals and sea lions are often curious in the water and may investigate people. However, aggressive interactions are rare.

This incident comes amid increasing concerns about the health of sea lions in other parts of the world. In Southern California, a surfer was bitten by a sea lion in March 2025, an attack attributed to domoic acid poisoning. Domoic acid is a neurotoxin that accumulates in sea lions due to toxic algae blooms, causing disorientation, agitation, and aggressive behavior, according to reporting from the Ventura County Star and Smithsonian Magazine.

The California incident highlighted a significant domoic acid outbreak that continued into April 2025. Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles reported finding 10 dead animals along the coastline and was caring for a large number of affected sea lions, exhibiting symptoms such as head bobbing, seizures, and loss of motor skills.

RJ LaMendola, the surfer bitten in California, described a “real strong battle” with the sea lion, noting the animal’s “unsettling ferocity.” He was treated at St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

While the Dunedin incident is currently being investigated, authorities emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe distance from marine mammals. The cause of the sea lion’s behavior in the New Zealand incident remains unconfirmed.

If you encounter a distressed or aggressive marine mammal, do not approach it. Contact the Department of Conservation immediately. For more information on marine mammal safety, visit the Department of Conservation website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/