A sea lion, with fishing line and hooks around its neck, was found on Allans Beach, on the Otago Peninsula, this week.
The animal was found by tourists from Richmond Hill, Australia.
Host Alex Shemansky, of Arts Content B&B in Company Bay, said they initially thought the brown, sand-covered object was a log.
When they tried to sit on it they were quickly enlightened and took some photos to share the story with friends at home.
It was not until later in the evening they noticed the hooks around its neck and alerted the Department of Conservation.
"They were just so shocked. How in heaven's name had this happened?"
Community relations officer John Gordon said the sea lion was usually at Allans Beach and staff were keeping an eye on it.
"We just need to co-ordinate with him when he is onshore."
He believed the sea lion became tangled in line intended to catch salmon in Otago Harbour.
The plan was to send two staff members to the beach today to attempt to remove as much of the line as possible and Mr Gordon believed the animal would be all right.
Incidents such as this happened a "couple of times a year" and he asked the public to inform the department immediately if they saw any animal in a similar situation so the issue could be dealt with quickly.
