An education programme has been launched to help young people gain an understanding of New Zealand sea lions and the challenges they face in life.
"Welcoming Back a Native Treasure", a joint project involving the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust, was presented to about 30 teachers and educators last night.
Marine Studies Centre programme director Sally Carson said the programme was targeted at primary school pupils and encouraged them to take on the role of scientists to study the marine mammals and explore the issues surrounding them.
It covers issues such as the impact of human activity, the history of sealing and trawl fishing, and the increasing number of sea lions along the Otago coast.
